Fixed- Brake Drums locking up after boat Launch fresh and salt

The day after my drums get submerged, they are seized up and i have to tap them with a hammer. I'm gonna open it up and maybe hit the parts with some fluid film. Anybody have a better idea? what exactly is locking up in there? shoes/drums were changed last year, so should'nt have much wear.

 

maybe lube the pivot points on the drum with some waterproof lube? Got to find out what is binding up.

 

How far are you driving before you park it after you dunk them? If you're not warming them up with some braking at all after dousing them then there may be moisture inside still that is letting the shoes bond to the drums overnight.

 

It's highly likely that when your shoes were replaced they didnt lube the base plate of the drums where the shoes move over.

Salt water is hellacious (is that even a word?) on metal. Especially unlubricated metal.

 

I'm getting the boat out and driving 10-20 miles with some stop and go before i park it. It sits over night and is seizure up in the morning

 

Do you think if i spray some fluid film in that spot, it will fix the problem?

 

No. The best solution is to pull it apart and properly inspect what needs lubing or replacement.

 

Well, yes, the drum has to come off. LoL, how else would you lube anything in there?

 

It will require a grease type lubrication, preferably a high temperature lube, like the ones that are provided for oxygen sensor threads, not spray lubricant of any kind, as that will eventually dry up and you may experience the same thing again.

 

12TRD, thanks.

I use fluid film sometimes, it is a spray but it's good for leaving a thick stick lube coat in hard to reach places.

I guess ill find something more suitable. I think i have a little packet of brake grease somewhere.

 

most parts stores or even walmart is going to have a waterproof grease for grease guns. Its usually blue/green colored, especially for marine purposes..

 

Maybe after you launch and retrieve the boat, drive around the marina area applying brakes to burn off/dry up the drums.

I know I get sticky drums after I wash the truck if I don't drive around the block after washing.

 

I actually tried that before. for whatever reason, it still happens. ill report back after i open up the drum.

 

Fluid film will burn off after the first stop.

 

THE FIX

this was a few years ago. here is what i tried.

i removed the drum and put high temp brake grease on the mating surfaces. (except the braking surface of course)

it still happened after a few launches.
the salt water just made the grease into a mess and glazed the shoe pad/drum.

i removed drum, cleaned/sanded and applied marine grease. same thing happened after a few launches.

after a while, they got stuck so bad that i had to hammer the drum, after backing off the adjuster. then i had to drag the truck with the front end in 4Lo to concrete and rock the tranny back and forth to break them loose.

when i got home i found that the bottom springs WERE COMPLETELY GONE. The saltwater ate them after a few months. without the bottom shoe spring, one of the tips of a shoe actually bent and was touching the vertical side of the drum.

i replaced the shoes and all the springs.

i didn't put any grease this time

i drilled a hole in the bottom of the back plate between the bottom end of the shoes as low as possible. i plugged the hole with a rubber cap.

when i get home after a launch (while I'm flushing the boat motor) i remove the rubber cap on top for the adjustor and remove the bottom cap that i made. then i SPRAY brake cleaner TO FLUSH OUT.
HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE
it's been about ten launches.
this costs a can of brake cleaner every time i launch

 

i plan on converting to discs eventually, but replacing the springs is like $20 and the shoes are not worn much.

rear disc kits aren't cheap and some don't even have a parking brake.