Re: Had this problem before, 49 Custom 8 won't go into gear

Posted by HH56 On 2014/11/22 16:55:53

If you have loosened the adjusting star and the wheel is free for a length of time and also ruled out the wheel cylinder and shoes by removing the drum as O_D suggested, then the hose would be the next step.

Unless the hose has been crushed, kinked, or obviously damaged, I doubt you will see anything on the outside. The rubber part which deteriorates and is the actual fluid channel is surrounded by a woven reinforcement material which prevents any swelling to be seen on the outside. The reinforcement prevents the rubber from moving outward so forces it to squeeze together and thus the problem.

If the hoses are older and hopefully not the originals, I would suggest changing them all because of age. If one is bad, the others are not far behind -- but at the least for now you can change the one wheel and see if it solves the problem. You will have to bleed that one cylinder if you change the hose but if you are careful you should not have to bleed the entire system.

If it turns out the hose is the problem I would strongly add to the suggestion you have the entire brake system done.