Hi, my names mike, i just purchased a 1969 chevy chevelle malibu, im new to the whole mechanics thing and im working my way from the ground up and i was wondering if someone could give me some feedback. my chevelle has a left rear wheel that will not roll foward but will roll backward (when in neutral), i did some research and i suspect it could have something to do with the drum brake but i am not 100% sure. any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thank you.

Check the brake or have someone check . It could be the brake linings have released from the shoe and jammed.

I'll take a look at it. much appreciated

Brake shoes are retained by several parts.

There are heavy springs that pull the top of each shoe against the anchor pin, a large bolt at the top of the backing plate (after you remove the brake drum).

There is a pin that sorta look like nails with a funny looking point, that hold each brake shoe against the backing plate. The inside end of the pin has a small spring around it with a "keeper" to hold the spring on.

There is an adjuster at the bottom of the brake shoes, one end on each shoe, with a heavy spring hooked between the shoes across the top of the adjuster.

If any one of these are missing or broken it may cause your symptoms.

The below picture is the passenger side.


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...2/P1020008.jpg

https://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296459

Here's a link to another thread on the forum that has pictures of how it's supposed to look. You'll probably have to back off the adjuster to get the drum off since it sounds like it's tight already. Looking from behind at the backing plate, you'll see a slot that may or may not have a rubber plug in it. Through that slot you'll be able to spin the adjuster with a flat blade screwdriver...one way will make it tighter, the other looser. Loosening it will solve your problem but you better take a look at it anyway on both sides. Check for contamination from oil or brake fluid too. And, keep your greasy mitts off the lining when you're working on it. Plenty of help available here and on youtube showing all about drum brakes.

Edit: One thing to note, the shoe with the shorter amount of lining goes towards the front, longer one goes to the rear.

I'd look at the parking brake too.

I had big issue with only one wheel locking up and ended up rebuilding both rear brakes with new backing plates. Things to check...

Contaminated brake shoes. You can even spray with brake cleaner and test brakes for a short time
Leaking wheel cylinders
Worn out backing plates causing improper function
Seized parking brake
Brake drum out of round
Make sure both sides are adjusted equally.

Note it could be a combination of these.

thanks ill be sure to look into all of this. im planning on taking it all apart this weekend seeing as I don't get much time during the weeks, so im trying to do as much homework as possible to get as much done as possible. is there any chance that it could have something to do with the rear end or is it moist likely to be a brake issue?

It is most likely a brake issue.

Definitely.Nick

Perhaps a rearend problem, spider gear cracked, broken, or something loose........just thinking outside the box.

Uh, Gary, I was responding to specific question he asked in the post just prior to my post.

But wouldn't that prevent the wheel from moving in both directions?

[QUOTE=Rich-L79;5654274]Uh, Gary, I was responding to specific question he asked in the post just prior to my post.



But wouldn't that prevent the wheel from moving in both directions?[/QUOTE]

Depends on what broke ? ,I had the pinion nut fall off of my 69 SS while going around a turn and the rear end locked and then the car skidded to a stop.I was only going about 15-20 and making a turn on a city block,so damage was minimal but terminal.My point is I was able to push it backwards into a corner parking spot but it would lock up rolling forward again.
But
That was with both wheels locking up,in this case with only one wheel locking up it most likely is a brake issue.
Don't rule out a hydraulic problem, when the rear brake hose goes bad it can cause a drag on the rear brakes till they heat up and lock.Then the one with the tightest adjustment will lock up first.
If its a rusted & seized brake cable it will be locked up all the time and if it's over adjusted it will be the locked up all the time.If it's a hydraulic problem (brake hose) it will get worse the more you drive the car and the hotter the brakes get.

So Yesterday I Took apart Both Drums (Which Was A Battle With The Driver Side One) And Found The Nail On The Rear Mount Spring Had SlippEd Through The Slotted washer ANd The Shoe Had come Loose then Locked Against The Drum Cover, So I Bought A Spring Kit And Replaced All The Springs BUt The Cover Will Not Go Back On With Ease Like The Passenger Side Does. It Really Doesnt Go Back On At All With AnythiNg Short Of A Sledge Hammer. (Which Im Definately Not Going To Try)