My 1975 six cylinder Comet, is giving my troubles in the parking brake department. Its disc brakes up front and drums in the rear, the front brakes hold just fine with the parking brake activated, but when I put it in reverse it rolls freely. I have checked the master cylinder levels, and slightly adjusted the star wheel inside the drums, to no avail. I don't think the adjustment nut on the equalizer rod should be tightened anymore. Any ideas on what might be causing my issue? Thanks for any help.
One thing to remember is that drum brakes are designed to work going forward. They do not work as well going backwards. Like has been said before, adjust the brake shoes and parking brake cables to get it to work correctly.
Like was said the rear drums are designed to self energize going forward. So in reverse they dont work very well. As long as it holds the car on a hill its working OK. Putting it in reverse with the ebrake on many drum brake cars will move easily. If its all adjusted OK you can make sure the linings arent a bit glazed up. Give them a quick scuff as well as the drum surface. It may help it grab a bit better.
Thanks for all the help, I was completely ignorant as to how drum brakes work, it the parking brake is functioning just as it should. Thanks again for the patience.
