Binding front brakes

[zinger]

Need help with binding front brakes on my 1970 Thing 182. When the brakes are cold the front wheels turns freely when jacked up. After driving for approximately 15 minutes the front brakes bind up completely. I adjusted the pushrod allowing sufficient play however this didn’t seem to have made any difference. The brake lines are fairly new (approximately 2 years old according to the previous owner).

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[Captain Spalding]

Need help with binding front brakes on my 1970 Thing 182. When the brakes are cold the front wheels turns freely when jacked up. After driving for approximately 15 minutes the front brakes bind up completely. I adjusted the pushrod allowing sufficient play however this didn’t seem to have made any difference. The brake lines are fairly new (approximately 2 years old according to the previous owner).

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Sounds like your rubber brake lines have swollen shut. They are easily replaced.

[Jerry D]

There could also be a problem with the master cylinder. If there isn't enough free play in the pedal the master cylinder will pump more fluid to the wheel cylinders each time you step on the pedal but won't allow it to return to the reservoir.
Jerry....

[MNAirHead]

This is meant to be very constructive .. not as any type of flippant post.

It really sounds like time to swap cyls, rubber hoses and master cyll... at this time checking the shoes would be smart.

After going through countless VWs... this sounds like one spot where a total swap out would eliminate some future headaches.

Tim

[joepar]

I had exactly the same problem. So, when you raise the vehicle, the wheels would turn freely but loaded the wheel drum would rub on the brake shoes. I discovered that the previous owner changed the spindles to the Beetle spindles using the same 181 hubs. Due to excessive wheel to spindle/axel play, I decided to replace the wheel bearings with OEMs. Upon installing the new bearings, I then discovered the Beetle spindles are smaller (at the inner bearing end) by 2mm than the 181 spindles. The OEM bearings fitted the 181 hub but were loose on the inner end of the spindle. The outside bearings fitted OK. I found a Timken cone inner bearing that would fit the hub but would require a little trimming with emery cloth and patience to hand fit it to the spindle.
Unfortunatley, I don't have the number of the Timken bearing. Suggest you go to a bearing supplier bringing with you the original bearing cone.
I'm offering this solution on the posibility that you have the same cause of the problem. The other suggestions are valid but easy to eliminate by having someone step on the brake with the hubs out and observing if the break shoes return with ease upon release of the pedal. Be careful not to pump it. Good luck.

[zinger]

I replaced the rubber brake lines over the weekend and it seems to have resolved the problem of the brakes binding. Thanks for all your input.