1971 automatic-wheels locked up
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 164
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
1971 automatic-wheels locked up
My first issue with my 1971 project.
The wheels are locked up and won’t spin even with car in neutral. I’m thinking it is probably the brakes but would like some insight into what I should check for.
The car car hasn’t moved in 25 years. It’s been in a garage the whole time and I’m not seeing frame rust or anything. Haven’t even taken the wheels off to look yet but might be a week or two before I can, so I thought I’d do some research on potential issues in the meantime.
Thank you!
The wheels are locked up and won’t spin even with car in neutral. I’m thinking it is probably the brakes but would like some insight into what I should check for.
The car car hasn’t moved in 25 years. It’s been in a garage the whole time and I’m not seeing frame rust or anything. Haven’t even taken the wheels off to look yet but might be a week or two before I can, so I thought I’d do some research on potential issues in the meantime.
Thank you!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Also, you may already know brake fluid is highly hygroscopic (likes & carries water) ... becomes corrosive.
With all those sedentary years in mind; expect to replace master cylinder, all hard lines & rubber hoses, proportioning valve, all calipers and park brake assemblies ... Anything & everything brake fluid has been setting in.
Rotors likely salvageable but'll likely need to be machined/turned as you'd do during typical brake job. Rotors are riveted to center hubs & can be drilled out if necessary.
With all those sedentary years in mind; expect to replace master cylinder, all hard lines & rubber hoses, proportioning valve, all calipers and park brake assemblies ... Anything & everything brake fluid has been setting in.
Rotors likely salvageable but'll likely need to be machined/turned as you'd do during typical brake job. Rotors are riveted to center hubs & can be drilled out if necessary.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Also
If this project going to be long-term? ... and If you don't NEED brakes in early stages ... perhaps wait to replace brakes parts & fluid until later (and well after you've freed-up wheels).
If this project going to be long-term? ... and If you don't NEED brakes in early stages ... perhaps wait to replace brakes parts & fluid until later (and well after you've freed-up wheels).
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,299
Likes: 8,104
From: Napa Valley California
We impound a lot of abandoned vehicles off private property that have been outside and not moved for years.
The tow truck drivers with wreckers will pull the cars onto the roadway and drag them a few feet to unfreeze the brakes from the wheels so they don't have to use dollies.
You might try dragging it a few feet to see if they will unfreeze for you.
Shouldn't take much if it has been stored inside.
The tow truck drivers with wreckers will pull the cars onto the roadway and drag them a few feet to unfreeze the brakes from the wheels so they don't have to use dollies.
You might try dragging it a few feet to see if they will unfreeze for you.
Shouldn't take much if it has been stored inside.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
True story to be applied here;
Unkahal.."You're a car guy....We have a VW SuperBeetle we'd like to give you....Grandmas car. Problem is it's been sitting in a dirt floor garage for 20 years, get it out and you can't have it."
Besides getting the car running in like 20 minutes ( SLEEPER!) the drum brakes were seized SOLID.
Remedy....Remove the wheel(s) REAR ONLY) Corvette applicability.
Put the lug nuts back on and protect the threads on the studs.
Emergency brake off!
With a large sledge hammer and your VERY BEST AIM.....WHACK! the hub and Tap forcefully the rotor Hat. SPROING! Brakes released and we DROVE IT OUTTA THERE..
They'll release.
Unkahal
Unkahal.."You're a car guy....We have a VW SuperBeetle we'd like to give you....Grandmas car. Problem is it's been sitting in a dirt floor garage for 20 years, get it out and you can't have it."
Besides getting the car running in like 20 minutes ( SLEEPER!) the drum brakes were seized SOLID.
Remedy....Remove the wheel(s) REAR ONLY) Corvette applicability.
Put the lug nuts back on and protect the threads on the studs.
Emergency brake off!
With a large sledge hammer and your VERY BEST AIM.....WHACK! the hub and Tap forcefully the rotor Hat. SPROING! Brakes released and we DROVE IT OUTTA THERE..
They'll release.
Unkahal
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 164
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
...I'm not sure if you're serious, but the car isn't running. Trying to push it.
It's going to be long-term, but I would like to be able to move it. I'll likely break the rotors free and go from there. I am not looking forward to re-doing all of the braking system, but that's something I definitely intend to thoroughly inspect before trusting it at all.