Front left wheel locking up

I know this question has been asked before, I'm hoping someone might have a new solution. I have a 1959 Plymouth Belvedere with stock drum brakes. Driving slow when you step on the brakes, the front left wheel locks up to a screeching halt, then it will slowly release. If I back up a little it will release instantly. I've replaced the master cylinder twice, I've replaced all four front wheel cylinders, flushed the lines, and put new brake fluid, replaced the front hoses, backed off the adjusting cams. Brakes shoes, and drums look fine, but next is replacing the shoes, and have the drums resurfaced. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Have you checked the shoes after it started locking up? Sometimes the wheel will lock up if the shoe pads are coming off

 

I swear it sounds like the flexible hose is collapsing but you said you replaced them,right? HRP

 

Is the shoe with the shortest lining toward the front of the vehicle?

 

also sounded to me that the hose was collapsing. But you already replaced it. how long ago? was it a new hose? for what they cost, it may be worth doing it again.

 

Both front hoses I replaced last week, the shoes are equal in left, so no chance of being mixed, and they have plenty of meat, and show no signs of cracks, or chips, or glazing.

 

One more thing to check is the wheel bearings. If the right wheel bearing is real loose then the brakes on that wheel won't work properly and the left one will do all the braking, including locking up. I had that happen on an F100 years back.

 

That's why I was thinking of replacing the shoes, in case they're a little warped. The bearings I repacked, and adjusted. With the car jacked up, both front wheels spin freely, I don't feel anything binding. With the drum off you can see the shoes move in and out without sticking.

 

The top left wheel cylinder was leaking, everywhere I've read it says brake fluid does not permanently affect a brake shoes, I cleaned everything with brake cleaning fluid, but somehow I think the shoes are the culprit.

 

Isn't there a taper ground into the leading edge of the lining?

 

Shoes that have been soaked with brake fluid can get grabby but usually a good drenching with brake cleaner and a light sanding will help. If it doesn't lock up at higher speeds, try dragging the brakes a little to heat it up. I have used a propane torch to burn it off brake linings on our end loaders. They would throw you through the windshield, tear the lining off the shoe or break the adjuster loose from the backing plate when they got fluid on them.

 

That's exactly what it's doing, I got on the freeway and it was fine, but the minute you slow down, and brake it wants to rip the steering wheel off your hands.

 

had this happen a few times. Almost broke a thumb from the steering wheel. Once was brake linings separating the others were bad flex lines. Have you tried swapping parts to the other side to see if the problem changes sides?

 

I would think you are right....Replace the brake shoes. HRP

 

I don't know if it applies here, but when I have a vehicle that brakes hard to one side, I inspect the opposite side first.
9 out of 10 times the opposite side is not braking enough or at all, making the one that is, seem extreme.

Might not apply, but check it out.

 

I know it sounds too simple, but have you double checked the adjustment on the front brakes? I had a car that would quickly self adjust the right front wheel and do the same thing. I'd back it off and in a few miles of driving it would adjust itself back up again. I finally removed the self adjusters and it never gave me any more trouble.

 

brake fluid swells the friction material . replace the shoes .

 

I've got the same issue on my '59 Imperial. Probably the same brake system, dual wheel cylinders.

Mine only seems to happen on the first stop of the day, or after it's sat with moisture around. Everything is new or rebuilt on mine as well, except for the shoes. That's where I'm going next once I get a decent break in the weather.

Edit: forgot to add that there is some old paperwork in the glove box that documents a brake fluid leak on the side with issues. Shoes were cleaned 20+ years ago but not changed.

 

One other thing I did to avoid taking the wheel off again was to put dry powder into the brakes. We had a plastic bottle of the chalk used on a chalk line that was easy to squirt into the adjuster holes in the backing plate and it worked. I have also used a dry chemical fire extinguisher.

 

On a friends suggestion, I replaced the front bearings and it solved the problem. I want to thank everyone for their input.

 

The first time I have ever heard of this. HRP

 

I get the feeling your not telling us the whole story.