JeffReed

I'm nearing the end of a long restoration. I have a problem with something in the rear of the car. It will not roll easily, its takes my 245lbs fat butt all it can to move the car a few inches at a time. I removed the 1/2 shafts and the problem persists. I "think" I adjusted the emergency break all the way because it looked like the new pads were rubbing a little.

Someone told me this is a typical problem with the older C3's, but its not obvious to a novice like me how to resolve it. Any suggestions on where to look to make this thing easy to push around the garage?

Thanks!

dually4wd

Do the tires squeak on the floor when you push on it? It could be the alignment. Mine was easy to push until I pulled the motor out and upset the front-end alignment. If it's brake pads rubbing, you'll probably have to suffer until you drive it and scuff 'em in a little.

KenSny

I can push mine about halfway in & out of the garage with one hand pushing on a rear tire. I don't push using the body or door jam area. Car has engine and everything installed, I just don't always want to start it to get up in the garage attic. So I guess mine pushes fairly easy.

Matt Gruber

if the shoes touch at all it will be hard to push. But it will loosen up when you start driving it.

JeffReed

Nope, the tires don't squeak at all. The car seems to track straight. The car passed state inspection and I dorve it about 20 miles home. The car pulled very slightly to one side, but nothing that indicated a major mis-alignment.

Thanks!
JR

L. Jackmin

If you jack it up and disconnect the half shafts will the rear wheels turn?

If not, it's proably the emergency brakes or (hopefully not) a problem with the rear wheel bearings or spindle assembly.

Good luck.

LMJ

JeffReed

I removed the 1/2 shafts and it made no difference. I was a little optimistic because that should eliminate problems with the rear differential.

I was hoping it was the E-brake shoes, but a 20 mile ride home from the garage didn't loosen anything up.

Thanks!

JR

Matt Gruber

it took at least 500 miles for mine to wear in.

dually4wd

Are both sides dragging? You could narrow it down a little by removing the caliper to make sure it's not the culprit. Maybe it needs more miles like drives61 said. You could put it in neutral at about 25mph and lightly pull the ebrake to see if it instantly grabs or comes up a bit first.

Steve Straus

There is also an adjustment screw on the bottom of the shoes. You have to turn the rotor so that one of the large holes is at about 6 o'clock. You'll be able to turn the adjuster with a large screwdriver at that point.

The shop manual calls for adjusting the shoes all the way out until the shoes are touching the inside of the drum, then backing it off 8 clicks. You also should only need to pull the parking brake handle up 14 clicks to engage the brakes. If your shoes are adjusted out too far they could be dragging more than they should and causing the problem you are experiencing.

JeffReed

I appreciate everyone's help. I will give those suggestions a shot this week.

Thanks!!

JR