1994 150D SWB - Rear Brakes

[bp_williams]

Hi fellas,
I just bought the above and even though the brakes worked fine during the test drive, the rears are now starting to grab during low-speed braking and squeak a bit too. Perhaps they need re-kitted? Any suggestions as to the most cost-effective way to go to sort it out? (I'm OK with a spanner - or hammer if it comes to that!) Perhaps Kwik-fit is the best option??
Cheers,
Brendan.

[rover]

quick fit wil rob you blind IMO. They always seem to find more problems than you actually went in with!

It may need new rear shoes on it but the best way to tell is to have a look yourself.....jack it up and put it on an axle stand, take the wheel off and then let the hand brake off, if there is a retaining screw remove that and then give the drum a good thump with a copper hammer if you have one(if not then a piece of hardwood and a large hammer), the drum should then come off.

If the brakes appear to be ok just brush out the dust with a soft paintbrush or similar and repeat the other side.

If all the shoes and cylinders are ok then the 'grabbing' may be down to a seized up 'load sensor'.....these can usually be freed up with a good dowsing of WD40 and working the lever manually with a pair of Mole grips.


Rover.

[bp_williams]

Thanks - I was looking for an excuse to get my hands dirty. I take it the 'load sensor' you're talking about is somewhere hidden under the drum amongst all the springs? i.e the lever attachment that pushes the shoes out against the drum?

Cheers!

[Nighthawk]

This sounds like brake dust tbh,

The Load Apportioning Valve (LAV) is found on the chassis above the rear axle, it's connected to the axle by a spring/rod, if you watch the valve while someone jabs on the brakes you should see it move a 1/4" or so.

If it does that, it's not siezed.....but a quick spray of some oil will help it remain that way during the crud weather.

You'll also need a decent hammer if your going to get the drums off, on the Type 51a axle they used to rust against the 1/2 shaft.

Adjust the brakes down and give the drum a good whacking at even spacing around the drum. I'd also suggest marking the position of the wheel rim against the 1/2shaft and the 1/2 shaft's position against the drum. They can suffer with brake judder if put back in a different position.


Steer clear of kwik fit imho........more trouble than it's worth.

[phil g]

as nighthawk says sounds like brake dust i clean mine out once or twice a year, done only yesterday when it was serviced

[rover]

That about covers it then

[bp_williams]

Well done fellas. I'll let you know how I get on...