Brake Problem?

[dkms]

problem #1: After starting my 2000 Montana and applying the brakes to shift into reverse it seems like the drivers-side rear brake drum will not release. Giving it gas it moves backward grudgingly. I put it into park and then into reverse again and it worked fine. This has happened to my wife several times, too.

problem #2: This brake used to make a loud creaking noise right before the vehicle came to a complete stop but that has since stopped.

Are these two symptoms related and what could be causing them?

If they are not related then what is causing the first problem (and the 2nd problem)?

Thanks for any help you can give.

btw: it has 77,000 miles on it and has never had any rear brake service.

[1999montana]

Originally Posted by dkms

problem #1: After starting my 2000 Montana and applying the brakes to shift into reverse it seems like the drivers-side rear brake drum will not release.....

problem #2: This brake used to make a loud creaking noise right before the vehicle came to a complete stop but that has since stopped.

Are these two symptoms related ...?

I'm assuming, of course that you do have drum brakes on the rear and not discs (some vans came with discs all around).

You could have a rear wheel brake cylinder that is, or has been leaking brake fluid over time. The fluid mixes with the dust inside the drum and forms a greasy paste that will often momentarily bond the brake shoe to the drum. The fluid also saturates the lining of the shoes and makes them unusable.

Moving forward or reverse often breaks the shoe loose. You should have noticed that one or more wheels were more or less grabby if this is the case. Usually the 'wet' wheel will grab first.

I'd pull the back wheels (both rears, due to the age of, or miles on the vehicle) and check for any indication of leakage around the seals on either end of the wheel cylinder(s). If there is, replace the wheel cylinder (and for added safety) replace both rear wheel cylinders with new ones.

I've also seen situations where the lining de-bonded from the metal part of the brake shoe shimming itself between the drum and the other shoe. Something to think about and investigate.

Regardless of the cause, I wouldn't let it go too long either.

Dangerous in wet or icy weather because the locking of the wheels becomes unpredictable.

[dkms]

Originally Posted by 1999montana

I'm assuming, of course that you do have drum brakes on the rear and not discs (some vans came with discs all around).

You could have a rear wheel brake cylinder that is, or has been leaking brake fluid over time. The fluid mixes with the dust inside the drum and forms a greasy paste that will often momentarily bond the brake shoe to the drum. The fluid also saturates the lining of the shoes and makes them unusable.

...

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I do have drum brakes on the back.

I pulled the wheel and cleaned up the whole brake assembly and it seems to be working now. The brake cylinder is leaking and the paste did cause the shoe to bond to the drum. I was surprised that this could actually happen.

I think part of the problem was due to the shoes being adjusted to too large a diameter because the spec says to have a 1.27mm (or 0.05 inch) smaller shoe diameter measurement than the cylinder diameter which was not the case for that wheel.

I pulled the other side and checked - the brake cylinder is not leaking but I will clean it tomorrow since I did not have time last night.

Thanks again.