Front brakes not releasing

[johnnydog]

I'm glad you now appear to have sorted the issue, although I don't quite see the connection between the handbrake adjustment and the front brakes binding - or have I missed something???

[Forkie]

Hi John, well that is pretty much the same thought across the board . As you well know - as you have been pretty much following this since dot - i was struggling to find an actual problem, no matter what was been suggested by the forum , and others as well . No faults , but front brakes still not fully retracting. Why.
It was only the fact a few weeks ago that i decided to have 'a break from the brakes' to change already perished handbrake boots and shock absorber mounts that brought this to light. Once realising the hand brake must of been too tight, i opted to set this up first. I jacked the rear up under the rear arms, so that gave the effect of the car still being ' under load' and not having the rear wheels hanging. I set the handbrake by increments of tightening ( at the O/S adjuster only) in stages , by leaving both drums free to pull off, whilst checking handbrake 'clicks'. So once i had reached 5 clicks to being rock solid, and fully off to then be able to still pull off both drums, i left it at that. Wheels back on, lower to ground.

[Forkie]

Since then - local test drive included - brakes have been free as. Over a week later - virtually every evening since - i go out and play pinball between bricks - still free. Now, when i just simply enter the car, it actually moves and rocks to and fro..... quite a bizarre feeling to be honest.
My only theory is - with the handbrake set up being too tight - even when 'off' - the rear shoes were still on, only marginally, but enough - which in turn must of been putting pressure on the rear cylinders - to then not allow any ' slack' in the hydraulic side , for the release of the front calipers? It is the only thing i can think of.
All i can say is since resetting the handbrake to an acceptable freeness, the brakes are now free.....

[johnnydog]

At the end of the day though, you have a result! I must say I admire your determination / enthusiasm to remedy the issue which you appear to have been successful in doing! Well done!

[Forkie]

Having just picked up on your new message John, i did go straight into the garage before replying and yes she is still bouncing between the bricks .
Well thank you for the comment, it certainly has been very frustrating, annoying, and yes determination to fix it has been very stressful but detemined i was - simply because - with all new parts- why should i have an issue !?!? You have to remember i only have one of 'these ' cars, and after being off the road for sooo long ( length of time totally unplanned) i was so looking forward to being back behind the wheel of 'The Great Six'. Forecast down here is good for the weekend, so i may just go for a short drive.....