Brakes - shot wheel cylinder?

[Skagit]

Hello all-

1995 EZ Loader tandem w/ surge drum brakes.

I have three wheels that turn easily by hand with an ever-so-slight scraping noise...research says those are properly adjusted.

One wheel is difficult to turn. I can do it, but it's markedly different than the others. The adjusting star is all the way in (shoes retracted). So, I'm thinking the wheel cylinder is stuck.

Questions:

1. Can someone validate my diagnosis? Is there something to try before I replace the wheel cylinder?

2. EZ loader says "it will be easier to replace the whole backing plate...for $130". Is this true or can I buy a wheel cylinder at Napa for like ten bucks?

3. I had a catastrophic bearing failure on this wheel. I was thinking lack of bearing maintenance by PO, but I'm wondering now if it wasn't caused by this brake problem. Would a dragging brake cause a hot grease/melted seal/fried bearing/wonky wheel/parts on ground/ smoke in the air scenario?

4. How big of a job is this? I'm thinking it's no sweat, but I'm a little apprehensive about it...mostly the bleeding the brakes part.

Thanks for reading!

Skagit out...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Brakes - shot wheel cylinder?

Wheel cylinder failure is common. I would first actuate the master cylinder manually while spinning each wheel and making sure the brakes work on each wheel before doing anything else. You are very likely going to change more than one wheel cylinder.

As far as changing the backing plate, that is only necessary if there is bad corrosion. You won't know until you take off the drum.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Brakes - shot wheel cylinder?

It depends on what kind of shape the rest of the parts on the brake assembly are in. If only the wheel cylinder needs to be replaced, then yes it can be easier and cheaper to replace it (about $25 for an aluminum wheel cyl) but if the all the parts need replacing, it's actually cheaper to replace the whole thing, than to buy the individual parts. You can get the galvanized backing plates with aluminum wheel cylinders and stainless steel springs for as low as 50- 60 bucks for a 10" unit....