2000 Cavalier drum brakes locking up bad.

[Chevyfan101]

We have had the right rear brakes cleaned. But man these things skid and lock up if the rear drums are wet. Could the shoes be bad in the drums? Or is it the ABS system? And btw I am new here.

[IROCNROL1]

Hi, and welcome to GMI. You'd probably have better luck posting this question in the tech forum. Good luck.

[Johnny P]

Sounds like a sticking wheel cylinder.

[W.A.F.U.]

Originally Posted by Chevyfan101

We have had the right rear brakes cleaned. But man these things skid and lock up if the rear drums are wet. Could the shoes be bad in the drums? Or is it the ABS system? And btw I am new here.

It's not the ABS.

We've had luck chamfering the edges of each shoe. Sometimes the leading edge of the shoe bites into the drum so hard upon braking that it can lock up the rear wheels.

[ph39]

I've got a similar problem.

To me it seems like the drum very quickly gets a thin film of dirt/rust on it that bites when the brakes are applied.

It usually happens to me when the car sits for 2 or 3 days without being used. Once I make it out of my driveway - get up to about 30 mph and gently use the brakes - it seems to shake off the rust and work good for the rest of the day.

[Chevyfan101]

Thanks guys!!

[Triple-X08]

make sure they are adjusted and try to sand the shoes with sand paper to get the film off them, and also make sure to lube your backing plate contact points and make sure your drums dont have any signs of cracking and what not, also if the rear wheel cylinders leak they can contaminate the pad material causing them to stick.

[scooter10572]

Originally Posted by ph39

I've got a similar problem.

To me it seems like the drum very quickly gets a thin film of dirt/rust on it that bites when the brakes are applied.

It usually happens to me when the car sits for 2 or 3 days without being used. Once I make it out of my driveway - get up to about 30 mph and gently use the brakes - it seems to shake off the rust and work good for the rest of the day.

all j bodies will do this but always moreso if you dont use gm brake shoes,aftermarket shoes are notorious for causing your problem but like I said j bodies will grab on the first few brake applies if vehicle has sat for awhile.