brakes stuck... plz help

[coolbus]

My bus has been sitting for a while, and I need to move it a few feet!

Please tell me how to get them UNstuck!

Thanks

Mark

[buswarrior]

All the while, being completely ready for the bus to launch....

Run engine.

when air is full, release parking brake

make a couple of long, full foot brake applications in an effort to upset the bond between lining and drum

keep eye on air pressure, more air means a stronger squeeze, let/make the air build back up

engage reverse and give it a good pull

engage forward and do the same.

Good pull means a few seconds of full throttle in an auto, and well, in a manual, a small amount of clutch abuse is in order.

Reapply parking brake

repeat a few times.

I'll mess around agitating the stuck brake shoes using the engine and brake mechanisms for awhile, because I don't want to go underneath and pound on the shoes.

If you have to go under, all the usual precautions about the bus falling on you,

Ensure you have proper movement of the brake linkage between parked and released.

ok, now we have to use some localized violence. Be careful not to shatter the edges of the linings, a chisel/prop/drift/old screwdriver and your big hammer lets you apply the force more precisely to the edge of the shoe and more easily than trying to whack with just the hammer.

It should come unstuck without going underneath, as long as you haven't parked in the swamp for years...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Dallas]

Mark,

Please give us a hint....
What kind of bus?
What Kind of brakes? DD3's? Maxi's? does it have a 'Johnson bar' type parking brake?

[coolbus]

Alrighty, then!

She broke free after following buswarriors suggestions. (Thankyou)

The bus is a skoolie type (although never was a skoolie) It's a 1975 Gillig 636D w/ a 3208 Cat turbo, Allison auto with highway gears. Came with saddle tanks, overhead luggage racks, and a one piece front door. As far as the type of brakes... not sure. There is a guage that shows how much air is being app;ied to the system, if that helps. I was only able to get it up to around 95 lbs, though, even when the main air tank was at 120 lbs.

thanks for the assistance!

Mark