Urgent Brakes problem

[BigTim]

Hi Folks

Just about to pull our Bailey Senator up our steeply sloping drive. My 21 year old son pushed against handbrake rather than pushing it off. When handbrake was released one of the caravan wheels has siezed solid. Caravan will roll back but will not pull forward. When the handbrake lever is applied it now goes vertical - it was previously at a much more gradual angle. The brakes had new linings and drums at the end of August - hardly used since then.

Any advice please - we were just leaving for our 10 day Easter break and we're absolutely gutted as needed it badly after recent difficult time of family illness.

I've phoned the only mobile engineer I could find locally, we're in St Helens Merseyside, but the earliest he could come is next Thursday!!!

Help

Tim

Tim

 

[Guest]

Curious. Normally ppushing the lever back will not do any harm as it is designed to go to the end of the slot. In fact it usually requires that much movement to get the brakes to fully apply. However, you do not mention if the force required is now less suggesting a cable has split to the back of the drum that is seized.

You could try either attaching the car to pull it forward to see if it will free itself, or jack up the wheel and try to turn it manually. That may also indicate by noises if something is broken or loose inside the drum. Apart from that I have no smart ideas and would suggest, as you have done, to get out an engineer. Trying to get the drum off if it has seized brakes will require some expertise outwith my poor knowledge and replacing the drum is a dealership job.

I am sorry, maybe others have better ideas but you may be sepnding part of Easter at home.

 

[BigTim]

Thanks Scotch Lad

I was pulling the 'van up, or trying to pull 'van up, drive with Kia Sorrento. It has left foot long skid mark on newly paved drive. The brakes were given a complete overhaul at the end of last August after accidentally towing 'van with handbrake on!! and we've hardly used since then. Sorry I probably sound like a complete idiot.

Getting a mobile engineer is the problem. Can't find anyone in immediate area and nearest at Bolton could not come before next Thursday - wonderful.

Tim