left front brakey no workey any ideas

[coggonobrien]

my left front brake doesn't seem to function. it did before it sat for 2 years when my friend owned it. where should i start? i don't have any experience with drum brakes.

Thanks,
David

[Deep C 915]

Could have a bad caliper or air in the line. It is the closest to your MC and if air had gotten into the line it could see it first...Try bleeding the lines first.

[coggonobrien]

are the internals on a drum called the caliper? i always thought it was the shoe or something else

[Pop's C-10]

could be a bad or stuck wheel cylinder..

[coggonobrien]

how tought of a swap is that? i'm assuming not a lot of money

[jasons]

Could be a stuck wheel cylinder or a collapsed hose. Try bleeding it and if you get no air or fluid out the bleeder the hose probably needs replaced.

[truckster]

Drum brakes also need to be adjusted periodically.

Here's what I would do: First I'd crack the bleeder open (if you can get it open) and have someone push the brake. If there's no fluid coming out, chances are your line is collapsed or you might have a problem with the proportioning valve.

Second, I'd pull the wheel and drum and look for leaking brake fluid around the cylinder. If it's leaking, you might as well replace it - I've found it's not really any cheaper to rebuild them. Have someone push on the brake and see if it moves. If it moves, I'd check to see that the wheel on the adjuster can move. Put just the drum back on with a couple of lug nuts to hold it on, and adjust the brake until it just starts to drag, then back it off a few clicks.

Good luck.