1964 Soviet Volga brake and rear wheel issues

[noonian]

Hi All,

I am an Englishman living in Ukraine. I bought a 1964 Volga 21 to restore and enjoy. I have done a lot of work to it and I am now ready to drive it.

One problem, the back brakes are locked, even on the lowest adjustment. It was very difficult to get the drums off. They went on easily when i fitted the brakes, and they shoes are on the lowest possible setting, but the drums are rock solid.

I managed to coax them off with a hammer and socket extension, and I made sure that the shoes are still on the lowest setting, but I cannot get the drums back on.

This problem appeared after I bled the brakes, having also fitted new cylinders and some pipes.. I also fitted a new master cyliner. Bleeding was straight forward, but now this.

This is not the only issue. With the drums off I cannot spin the wheels at all, they are also locked. the clutch is fine and works well, i just cannot get the wheels to turn. Could it be the diff ?

I have spent many, many days on this car, finding parts and working things out for myself in absence of English manuals. I love it but this has foxed me.

I would class myself as a 6 if 1 is Total Amateur and 10 is a Pro mechanic.

This car is simple 1950's technology. It is built like a soviet tank and weighs as much as a museum. It driv4es wonderfully, when it wasn't locked up. There is no finesse in this car, it is all CCCP brute force.

Happy to make videos or photos if someone can help.

[shorod]

Are you certain the springs are installed correctly for the brake shoes? Is the friction material on the shoes shorter on one shoe than the other? Is this 4 wheel drum brakes? If so, are all four brakes locked up? Are you sure the parking brake is not on or cables stuck?

-Rod