drum brake dummy?? mk2 1988 vw polo

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Mon 10 Jul 2006 18:02
drum brake dummy?? mk2 1988 vw polo - steveo3002
ok dont laugh....ive never worked on drum brakes before

i have a issue on one side...the brake binds on one side with the handbrake off

after a quick inspection the issue i can see is that the clyinder only moves on one side...meaning the cylinder is the usualy tube shape with a piston/plunger at each end, i would imagine the plunger should move outward equaly at both ends??

as it stands...one piston moves in and out freely....the other wont budge at all??? is that right or should both ends move??
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 18:06
drum brake dummy?? - George Porge
What car? They should both move.
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2 Dirty VW diesels and a Honda with an 18 inch blade
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 18:09
drum brake dummy?? - steveo3002
oh yeah sorry....its a mk2 1988 vw polo {added to subject header = DD}

is it common for them to sieze?? i have a receipt for 2 new ones fitted about 2 years back
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 19:18
drum brake dummy?? - kithmo
is it common for them to sieze?? i have a receipt
for 2 new ones fitted about 2 years back

Yes, if you don't change the brake fluid every so often they'll corrode due to moisture contamination in the fluid.
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 18:10
drum brake dummy?? - tr7v8
On some older cars the cylinder was single sided & slides in the back plate or both pistons should move. Give us a clue as to make & model!
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 18:22
drum brake dummy?? - Chris S
Applying the brakes with the drum missing is a good way to let air into the brake cylinder.

You'll need to bleed your brakes now, no matter what else you do.
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 18:58
drum brake dummy?? - steveo3002
yeah i will re bleed them......should the clyinder move both ends ??
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 19:11
drum brake dummy?? - Peter D
Polo's have dual acting pistons that is why that have dust covers at both ends and the slave is held by two allen key screws. Regards Peter
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 19:11
drum brake dummy?? - George Porge
Yes they should both move, the cylinder is bolted to the back plate and is unable to move and has a non flexible brake pipe screwed into it.
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2 Dirty VW diesels and a Honda with an 18 inch blade
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 19:19
drum brake dummy?? - steveo3002
ok thanks guys...thats what ithought was wrong!!

is it normal for a piston to seize after 2 years serice?? never heard of them siezing before
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Mon 10 Jul 2006 22:19
drum brake dummy?? - Peter D
Two possibilities. 1/. They were not actually change, or the seals were swopped but not the cylinders, or 2 you ahve a pressure washer and you keep filling the drums up with water. Regards Peter
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