Topic: Rear brake lock up issue + images

[giles]

Hi Folks,
'IT 01' now runs and has a nice tensioned chain - thanks Karl, very easy to fit.  Now I just need to repace the one I broke at Brooklands!
OK, IT 01's final issue still remains, the rear brake locks up instantly the moment it bites, it's quite literally all or nothing.
At Brooklands someone mentioned I could be missing a part, could have been Chas, not sure meet so many helpfull folks there and you all communicate with your 5Alive ID!!!  Radio marty, retro andy etc.......  quite confused by the end of it 
Anyway here are some pictures of the brake, not sure if they are any help or not.....





Before I get told off for too many meg of photo data, the admin team are welcome to remove any photos that are not of any help, which could be all but one reference picture perhaps?
Any help and advice would be most welcome.
Cheers, Giles

[C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER]

Hi there it.s Chas it wasn't me that spoke to you about the back brake  but sorry that I didn't.
Regarding the brake cannot see anything wrong with it ...Have you tried changing the back wheel yet .. Bye Chas

[PLOD11]

It might be my eyes but the top shoe looks like it isnt flat to the post it sits on, the bottom looks ok, but the top looks like it would sit  if being applied ?

I might be wrong, brakes and adjustment are not are not my specialist subject 

[MikeDX]

brakes and adjustment are not are not my specialist subject 

On a C5, Brakes aren't anybodys specialist subject....

[Retro Andy]

I'm sure mine look much the same, (slightly uneven) but Karl made some adjustments to mine and its better, but it will still lock up when used the first few times. I think the tension on the wheel hub fixing make a slight difference aswell ?

Retro Andy.

[C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER]

Any chance of a photo of the wheel ....Chas

[radiomarty]

Hi Giles it was me that had a quick chat with you at Brooklands - I was asking if the circlip was present as this is sometimes missing - I can see from your photo's that it is but it does look like a there might be a crack in the brake shoe in the first photo by the circlip ? The other thing to check is the cam condition when you operate the brake do the shoes move evenly outwards on the cam ? Also check with another wheel as Chas rightly adviced.

[coverman]

Has grease got onto the shoes? At least one of them looks somewhat glazed. Such a basic brake design requires everything to be in perfect condition to have a chance of working almost adequately.

[Karl]

Has grease got onto the shoes? At least one of them looks somewhat glazed. Such a basic brake design requires everything to be in perfect condition to have a chance of working almost adequately.

Coverman is right in that it doesn't take much ...the drums do wear out (and also go "oval shaped"), slight wear on the shoes, oil/grease contamination etc are factors that all contribute to brake problems. Process of trial and error ,replacing the shoes maybe ? Either way, lots of fiddling/adjustment and you should get it useable.

[plumber]

hi there, as plod says the shoes look like one of them not sitting right....my experance of the back brake with one of my c5 was the longer i was out on it the sharper it got, then stuck full on....i cleaned them with brake fluid cleaner and alls been well....hope this mite help

the plumber

[giles]

Top marks to Plumber and Plod 
Look carefully at the first photo, there is a crack in the casting near the circlip.  When I took the brakes out, to swap them with a secondhand set (thanks to Karl), the shoes fell apart and it was clear they were bust!

New shoes, now works although the hand brake needs correct adjustment, for now at least I am really chuffed it's working.... that'll be another C5 on the road and not in a garage collecting dust.

Thanks guys.
Giles

[radiomarty]

I can see from your photo's that it is but it does look like a there might be a crack in the brake shoe in the first photo by the circlip ?

Not wanting to blow my own trumpet but .......

[PLOD11]

I didn't know you played the trumpet 

[giles]

Sorry Radiomarty, being a bit dim I  missed that, but yes, spot on - full mark, top of the class of Form C-5 
Cheers, Giles

[Karl]

The rear brake shoe snapping is what also happened to umpa;
http://c5alive.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=598.msg4695#msg4695

..shame his piccies have dropped off though !