My air brakes are locked!

[barth]

I have a 2001 Scepter, and it was stored indoor for the past six months. When I went to get it this morning, it started right away, the air pressure built up to 125 PSI. When I released the brakes, it tried to move but din't. It looks like one of the brake shoes is stucked on the drum. It never happened to me before. What do I do next? Call a tire road service unit?

Thank you

[hone_eagle]

Daily leak down will not prevent shoes seizing during long term storage ,try not setting the brake for long term storage just chock the wheels next time.
They will eventually gently come to rest against the drums at a equal temp ,should help .

[JetAonly]

This is common if you don't do a pneumatic system test. You know…. the one you are supposed to do each day before you operate an air brake vehicle.

[barth]

I will go and try to hit the drum with a hammer. Do you have to release the brakes before you hit the drum, or do you do that with the brakes on?
Thank you for your input

[mdamerell]

barth wrote:

okgc wrote:
I know of a case where the air line for the parking brake had been chewed by mice so there was no air pressure to release brakes.

I'm a bit confused. Are saying that there is two braking system? The regular one and the parking one?
If there is only one system, then my air pressure is up and steady. One weel wants to move while the other one doesn't

Yes, there are parking brakes and service brakes. If you look at your rear axle there should be two chambers. One contains a massive spring to apply the parking brake. The other is the service brake. It normally takes about 30# of air to compress and hold it out of the way. If you look at your steer axle there is only 1 chamber on each wheel (service brake)

Air Brake pump down procedure

I'd try backing up 1st, then tap the metal part of the brake shoe with a hammer to bust it loose. Common on a truck that's sat.

[koda55]

I used to be an otr truck driver. We would have this happen if we put the brakes on the trailer. We just took a hammer an hit the drum until it would break free.

[copeland343]

Happens on fire trucks I drive. Just but in reverse and back up about a foot brakes should then release.

[fcooper]

Massive springs apply the parking brake when air pressure goes low. When you build air pressure and release the parking brake, the air pressure releases the parking brake. Unfortunately, you have one shoe stuck to the drum.

Try alternating between reverse and drive with a little throttle pressure after shifting.

This is not an uncommon problem.

Fred

[barth]

okgc wrote:
I know of a case where the air line for the parking brake had been chewed by mice so there was no air pressure to release brakes.

I'm a bit confused. Are saying that there is two braking system? The regular one and the parking one?
If there is only one system, then my air pressure is up and steady. One weel wants to move while the other one doesn't

[hone_eagle]

bfh

The brakes locked on my Volvo over winter, bang on em .
it has been suggested to me by a trucker to park it next time with chocks to keep it from rolling,do not set the brakes ,let the air bleed down over time ,by the time they do temps are equal and much less likely to bind up.

[okgc]

I know of a case where the air line for the parking brake had been chewed by mice so there was no air pressure to release brakes.

[J-Rooster]

barth wrote:
I had the pads replaced on one of the wheels a month before storing it. I wonder if it is the new pads that are stuck

From my experience it's been rust or a bad return spring or a flat spot a top of the cam. Make sure when you have the brakes relined that the shop uses the new parts in the brake kit. A lot of shops will use the old springs etc. when relining brakes.

[nor-easter]

Put coach in Reverse with emergency brake released and take foot of air brakes to allow drive shaft to turn and break rust locking the brake. Your four wheel brakes have not been on so no worry there.
This happens every once in a while if wet air or rain in area.

Post and let us know how you make out.

[obgraham]

After watching many seasons of Ice Road Truckers, I know what to do! The default is for the air brake to be "On". Bang 'em with a hammer to release.

[barth]

I had the pads replaced on one of the wheels a month before storing it. I wonder if it is the new pads that are stuck

[J-Rooster]

I had this happen to me once and, I hit the brake pad inside drum of the wheel with a rubber mallet and that unstuck the brake pad from the drum. If you have dust covers on your wheel (back of wheel), you will have to take them off usually 3 to 4 small screws! Good Luck!