Hello,
Just bought a Piper 1200 form an old chap retiring from caravanning. It was his pride & joy and appears to have been well maintained (greased in the right places etc & maintained whilst it has been standing for the last 3 years, including the handbrake being off for this time)
However, I got about 30 yards when the O/S wheel locked up. I backed up & it freed off, went forwards & it came on (on busy country B road!!!) In the end had to drag it 50yds onto verge leaving a trail of rubber.
I'm a competent mechanic & have dealt with drum brakes (Minis, MGs etc)so I stripped the hub down, it was all apparently free & moving. Swept out a ton of cobwebs & woodlice & reassembled it. Except that I can't get the drum back on, by at least 3mm in the worst place. I have tried relocating the parts a number of times, levering, tapping, shouting, to no avail.The setup is this (http://www.stowford.co.uk/faultfinder/chassis/brakeshoes.asp)
The system is not complicated - some push rods & a brake drum setup, yet I seem to be missing something.
Anyone got any advice, or of a recommended caravan bod V near Hailsham?
Many thanks in desperation
Jonathan
Sparky,
I've just found the problem - the upper spring should be compressed - there is a collett at the top, on which the leading shoe rests. Until I compared it with the working side, I did not know there was anything amiss. The collett should be retained by a pin, which had sheared off & was the same colour as the main shaft, so wasn't apparent.
A quick fudge with a valve spring compressor & it's all back together despite the rain.
Well I now know the braking system fairly well!
Many thanks
Nicola, Thanks for the welcome.
Jonathan
I would watch out for the working side in case that one is about ready to shear off, then you would have the same problem with that one, it may be worth sorting that one at the same time. I had the same problem with the brakes on a Piper 1400 a few years ago
I had a similar problem with a MkII Vauxhall Cavalier when it went into reverse several years ago. I cannot remember what the cause was unfortunately. I would strip both wheels down, making a careful note of how the other side is assembled and assemble the other side the same. Incorrect adjustment can also cause strange things to happen.
Thanks for the added info - good point about the other side potentially going.
Sorry about the delay in acknowledging - I've just started a new job 3 counties away from home & living in said caravan, which travelled the 120 miles without a hitch (?) and haven't got ready web access.
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Topic: 1 Brake comes on when going forward
