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No rear brakes?

swettysblazer

swettysblazer

Swetty The Yeti
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Hey guys.

Whenever I am driving my truck, it feels like I only have the front brakes when braking. I know the rears are getting brake fluid as I just checked them and there doesn't seem to be any leaks in the lines from what I can see. Could the drums be out of adjustment? Or is it something more serious? I'm going to try adjusting them later, I just figured I would ask if I was overlooking anything.

Thanks
 
Odds are they just need adjusting.
Mine never adjust, but thats because they stay in mud so much that it hardens on the adjusters and locks them in place.

The main problem with self adjusting drums is automatic transmissions.
The brakes adjust when you stop going backward.

With an auto, you don't hit the brakes going back as often. Back out of your driveway, and unless you are really hauling ass, you just drop it into drive and go.
 
Bumping this back up... still not getting any rear brakes. Adjusted them and nothing. Any ideas?
 
Try bleeding the system, could be the fluid is old and full of moisture. That moisture will also cause wheel cylinder problems, prop valve problems and more. Get some nice clean new fluid in the system and go from there.

Are you familiar with proper brake bleeding procedures and different methods? I ask cause some people think they know, do it wrong and make things worse.
 
Does your truck have a valve mounted on the diff that regulates the pressure going to the rear wheel cylinders??--of so it will reduce the pressure to them a lot if theres not much weight in the bed...or it could be defective..the combination proprtioning valve on the front crossmember also limits the flow to the rear wheels some too...

You could have a master cylinder with a ad seal on the piston for the rear brakes thats not pumping well too...maybe the rear shoes are just glazed up or contaminated with brake fluid,gear oil,etc too...sure the wheel cylinders aren't seized up?..a dented rear brake line or defective rubber hose can restrict flow to the rear brakes,usually the brakes also drag or fail to release though if thats the case ..
 
Wheel cylinders work good, we checked those first. I'll try putting new fluid in it and then go on to the valves on the axle then on the crossmember. Brake lines look good I might replace the rubber one going from the frame to the valve on the axle though while I am at it.
 
When you bleed the rears, do you get good fluid flow?
 
Yes, I am getting fluid to both of the rear wheel cylinders. I am stumped. Unless it's just me being a dumbass and not realizing that they are working. There was dust in the drums today when I took them off so that means something is obviously happening. It just doesn't feel right to me.
 
You need to find somewhere that there is loose dirt or gravel. Then, SLAM on the brakes while watching the rear tire. If the back doesn't lock up, then what does the shoes look like? Do they need to be replaced? You said the wheel cylinders are working right? You can actually see them moving with a helper pushing the pedal for you?

Chances are they are working just fine. It's hard to "feel" your back brakes working, unless you suddenly notice a loss in braking power.
 
SHoes looked okay, and the wheel cylinders are definitely working. I had my brother step on the pedal with the truck running to make sure the expanded. Maybe I'm just being a bitch and not hitting the pedal hard enough ahhaha
 
Back when I lost rear brakes on a trail run, the pedal would go almost to the floor and was very sluggish. Thought it was the master cylinder, so I replaced it, still no rear brakes. Started cracking lines starting near the front and hitting the pedal, found the junction block on top of the rear diff had plugged up with something. Purged it out, re-bled the entire system and all was fine.

If your rears are not working, you will have a hard time stopping, extended distances and the front end usually tends to nose dive alittle more than normal.

Those rear brakes are more of a control braking to keep the vehicle in control during braking, with alittle assistance with in braking as well.
 
To the OP, what makes you say your rear brakes are not working? In general, the front brakes provide over 90% of stopping force in a vehicle, so the rear brakes are not going to be easy to notice.

You should be able to get some speed - maybe 25 mph - and slam the brakes on and the rears will lock up (unless you have a 19991 or newer truck). Have someone watch. If they lock up, you're fine.
 
There was a crushed line in the back coming off the axle to the frame. Explains no loss of fluid and everything was plugged up. I can tell a difference but its better than before. Thanks all
 
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