Thread: HELP ! 1952 Ford pickup F-1

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Hello again everyone first i just want to say thanks to everyone who helped me out with advice for wiring my 52 with the 66 289 i just got it going with the key ignition and just got the charging system working about 30 mins ago and i was just about to pull it out of the garage and while it was in drive it moved about a foot or so not even then the left rear wheel locked up im pretty sure its not a posi and its right side drive so then i went to put it in reverse and it worked fine i had all the drums off and checked all the breaks and they seemed fine (this was before i went to move it) the drums came off fine so im pretty sure the breaks are not stuck so im thinking maybe it could be the rear? im not to sure and also when i went to shut it off the ignition wasnt working and it was right before this happend im not sure what it could be im 17 and this is my first project can anyone please give me some advice and help me out?

Do you have a jack and decent stands? If so, set the rear axle on the stands and test run the driveline and the brakes.

Originally Posted by 34_40

Do you have a jack and decent stands? If so, set the rear axle on the stands and test run the driveline and the brakes.

I agree with Mike. Just so we understand, you say you got the ignition & charging systems both working, so that means you started & stopped the engine several times from the key and it all seemed OK, right? Next you started the truck, with it backed into the garage, and when you tried to go forward it locked up the LR wheel after moving only about a foot, right? But then you put it in reverse, and it backed into the garage normally, and stopped when you applied the brake? Earlier I think you mentioned "...greasing the brakes", right? Exactly what do you mean by "greasing" brakes? When you reply if you'll try breaking down your reply into sentences using some periods it will help us understand what you're asking, and also what you're explaining you've done to date. Stick with us and take your time posting, and I bet we can get to the bottom of it.

the truck has been in my garage science July 2011 backed in the front is facing out. well this week i put the truck on 4 jack stands and removed all the tires. i took off all 4 drums and just checked the brakes out i didn't mean greasing the breaks i meant just greasing the bearings in the front wheel cylinders. all the brakes were good and all the springs were good, so i put on all 4 wheels and spun them while it was on the jack stands. after that i put transmission fluid in 3 quarts that's what it needed i assume because it was sitting for a while and may have leaked out, then i put the truck in reverse while it was still on the jack stands it went in reverse fine only the RR wheel spun so i assumed it isn't a posi. i tested out the brakes while it was still in reverse and the wheel stopped fine. then i put the truck in drive while it was still on jack stands and the RR wheel spun and stopped fine. so i went in for the night this was Friday, then came back to it after work today (Saturday) tested it one more time it worked so i took the truck off all 4 jack stands and set it down. i started it up put it in drive to drive it out of the garage i got about a foot if that and then the LR wheel locked up it barely spun it squeaked on the garage floor so i put it in reverse it backed up fine, then i went to put it in drive and it moved a little bit and then locked up i tried going forward a little to see if it would break free but it didn't. so i backed it up, back how it was and it went back about 4 feet or so perfectly fine in reverse. the rear has fluid in it i checked. the guy who gave me the truck said it locked up on him before to the last time he drove it about 5 years ago maybe but he said after a block or so it broke free and was fine, and when we towed it to my house the same LR wheel was locked up so im stuck and not too sure what it is. Thanks for the help guys and sorry about my spelling and punctuation.

Thanks for a few periods!! MUCH easier to read! Know it's harder, but this is typing, not texting and we're mostly old & slow(er)...

First of all your differential should be spinning both rear wheels when it's on the jack stands, but the fact that it only spun one does indeed tell you it's not a posi unit, or at least that the posi is not functioning - I'd bet it's an open differential - here's a link that explains how they work, and it would help you to read and digest it a bit. HowStuffWorks "Open Differentials" BTW, have you checked/changed the differential fluid? At least check it, should be level with the filler plug about 2/3 up on the rear cover or front pumpkin, but that's not your problem.

It sounds like your LR brake may just be adjusted too tight, could be an e-brake problem (have an e-brake?), or did you check to see that the shoes are not on backward (big one to the front instead of on the back)? You say the PO says it locked up on him before, but "broke loose" which is not right. With the truck back up on jack stands you should be able to spin the wheel (tranny in neutral, no parking brake) and not hear/feel it dragging on the brake shoes. If they're dragging, back off the star wheel to loosen the shoes. You want them close, or just barely dragging on the drum for a good pedal.

Now pull that drum and look at the shoes. Here's a picture I found on a Ford Truck site - says it's front, but it still shows primary/secondary shoes. Drivers Side Brake.jpg See the length of lining difference? The primary shoe (longer lining) goes to the rear, with the secondary to the front (weight of the truck stopping puts more force on the front, less area for equal force and no lockup). If your's are backwards then it's a good bet the other side might be, too.

Come back after you've checked it out and let us know. Maybe post some pictures of what you're dealing with if it's still giving you fits? Somebody else may have other ideas what's wrong. This is just my $0.02. Good luck!!

PS - Are you friends with the guys at LMC Truck yet?? http://www.lmctruck.com/ford/

In addition to all the great info from Mr. Spears. With the truck up on stands again, pull both rear wheels and drums. Then test drive the rear axle again. Except don't try shifting from forward to reverse with the axle spinning. Try one direction and observe both axles then shut off the engine. Restart in Park/neutral and then try the opposite direction, again, observe the axle rotation both sides. This will eliminate the brake topics completely! If both sides rotate (without noises) then concentrate on the brake systems operation.

Eddie,
I know you're smarter than this, but when you do Mike's good test with the drums off, don't touch the brake pedal like I did when I was about your age. Popped both wheel cylinders out in a heartbeat and emptied my master cylinder onto the ground Never forgot that lesson in hydraulics.....

Originally Posted by rspears

Eddie,
I know you're smarter than this, but when you do Mike's good test with the drums off, don't touch the brake pedal like I did when I was about your age. Popped both wheel cylinders out in a heartbeat and emptied my master cylinder onto the ground Never forgot that lesson in hydraulics.....

Thanks Roger! I guess I should've mentioned that in my cautions! OOPS!