stuck brakes

[eap53]

Just back from the big swap meet with a vl sidecar. The brake drum is stuck tight to the shoes and will not turn. I need some advice on how to free it up without breaking anything. Can I heat and tap or is there a better way? The rod that works the brake is also stuck. thanks.

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

Try spraying every moving part you can get to with Kroil or PB blast. Let it sit for a week but spray it once a day to really let the penetrant get to where it needs to be. When it comes time to try to move things you can gently use heat from a propane torch and try to shock areas with a dead blow hammer. It should finally release without damage. Then clean up the mess and re-grease everything (brake cam) and you're good to go.


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[JoJo357]

This video covers it all in regard to frozen brake issues. Only thing i disagree with in this video, is he is using a hammer, instead of using a dead blow mallet. Also, if tapping close to the studs, I would tape them over to avoid other problems. Good Luck Ernie.



https://youtu.be/y6jpNC6emOQ?si=JBrytDGHTrxzCDO7 <-------


*M.A.D.*

[eap53]

I have sprayed everything and will let it soak, no good way to get the fluid into the drum. The video does not apply as there are no stud holes to spray into, The drum on the video is not stuck anyway, just wore in, needs to back off the tightener, Mine is stuck, can not turn the drum, even with the wheel on, I think I will try some heat with the blue wrench.

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

If you remove the brake arm you might be able to get some in there. You can heat it carefully to expand the metal around the cam and then keep hitting it with penetrating fluid. Gravity would also help if the brake plate was facing up (that might be challenging).


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[eap53]

I got everything loose, turns out the brake drum was seized to the sidecar axle. I got the nut off the axle and took a brass hammer and wacked it and it came loose from the frame.
then I put the drum on a open vice and used the brass hammer to knock the axle out of the drum. everything cleaned up good, the drum came off the backing plate, but the springs on the shoes are rusted away. I am looking for some springs now. Thank you everyone for your help.

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

These might help.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/14382725077...Bk9SR4bUw46jZg


https://www.ebay.com/itm/31612630567...Bk9SR_zTw46jZg


https://www.ebay.com/itm/23513491680...Bk9SR4LUw46jZg


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[eap53]

This is a 1930-35 vl sidecar frame, the springs seem thinner then the later Harley springs. I am looking at the vl sites, but do not see any springs. They are probably similar to a vl front or rear brake.

[eap53]

I am also putting a tow bar on my servi-car. I would like to find the bushings that go on the rockers for it. They look like a two piece deal. I see some pictures on an old post from about 5 years ago..

[Peter Cooke]

I am looking at the vl sites, but do not see any springs. They are probably similar to a vl front or rear brake.

The parts books show part # 4125-28A (44486-28 new numbering system) for both VL front brakes & sidecar brakes.
So the 2nd & 3rd Ebay links in post #7 should be right.

[eap53]

I ordered the springs from e-bay, we will see. Still looking for tow bar bushings.. If they are not available, I guess i can invent some. I have the vl side car frame on mid-missouri marketplace.