K51 Front brake drum jamming (blockade)

[Swiss]

It happened now several times recently that on my K51 the right front brake drum was jamming hard (kind of blockade) when I just tipped on the brake pedal. Mostly when the car stood for a couple of weeks. I cannot unlock it again, except I drive backward. The brake adjustment is proper, had always a nicely balanced braking rate. Master and wheelcylinder are obviously dry, no liquid leakage visible. brakehosing is intact too. brakeshoes and lining looks thick enough when I check through the inspection gap. Does anyone know if this is a known phenomenon with Kaiser 51? Thanks and regards, Adrian, Bülach - Switzerland

 

[jmxkf1]

I have the same problem on my '53.   It seems to have worked itself out and hasn't done it in a while.   My master cylinder has a slight leak so maybe there's a connection.   

[Fid]

It's an on-going issue with my cars.  They're stored all winter in a shed with a dirt floor. Seems every spring I'm rebuilding wheel cylinders.  It's the temp/humidity extremes and the fact that the car sits for 6 months over the winter. Usually driving the pistons out of the cylinders and buffing them off takes care of it.  Not a fun job but not a hard job either. Especially on the front ones. You will get dirty!

[boatingbill]

I had this before and it was due to improper brake adjustment and/or the drum being out of round. Back off the shoe away from the drum a little and then check your brakes to see what happens. I suspect the drum.

[Wildcat]

New return springs and cylinder cleaning fixed mine just fine.