grease seals/sticking parking brake

Nevada Hudson

Can new wheel grease seals for stepdowns (51 Hornet) still be obtained at major auto parts stores? Now the parking brake will not release on the same vehicle, without messing with the handle for 15 minutes! . Anyone had this problem, and know what to do to fix it?

[Deleted User]

Ray , the OEM l seal was a Standard # 1680. Use National #473228 as a replacement. Might have to remove spring if necessary. This is for the front seals. Rear OEM seal is National #150066 try using CR 17310. This is for a spicer/dana rear so it may vary for a Hudson built rear end. As far as sticking hand brakes are concerned,you may want to check on the condition of the springs on the ratcheting mechanism. Sometimes they can clog up with crud or one of them may be broken and not allowing full release due to the sticking ratchet.

Jon B

You say the parking brake will not release. Do you mean that when you twist it, the handle won't move down a bit? If so, does it not move at all, or do you encounter resistance as if the cable itself is bound up somewhere along the line?



Or, do you mean that you can push the handle down, but the rear brake shoes are still holding the drums?

[Deleted User]

I Had This Very Same Problem With My 53, I Dicovered That The Cable Under The Car Was Caugth On Something Underneath Below The Front Seat. A Little Guide For The Cable Had Moved. This Was Awhile Back, Sorry I Cant Discribe Better.

Nevada Hudson

Jon B wrote:

You say the parking brake will not release. Do you mean that when you twist it, the handle won't move down a bit? If so, does it not move at all, or do you encounter resistance as if the cable itself is bound up somewhere along the line?



Or, do you mean that you can push the handle down, but the rear brake shoes are still holding the drums?

Jon, After about 15 minutes of pushing and twisting, I can finally get the release down. When I get the handle down, the rear brake drums are released.

Jon B

Have you first eyeballed the entire ratchet rod and housing, under the dash, to be sure everything is working smoothly? You'd have to lie on the floor to do this, probably. It might be that something is getting hung up there.



The next possibility is that the cable is frayed or something, in its conduit.



Another possibility is that something is caught, down at the lever assembly (at the other end of the cable, under the front seat).



But I'd check the handle and ratchet rod under the dash, first.

[Deleted User]

my bet is that the park mechanism under the floor (where the single cable from the handle splits off to the 2 drum cables) will be gummed up with crud just like mine is