FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Not being mechanically minded, requesting an opinion as to possible cause of excessive heat build up of rear driver side wheel hub re my 57 stock standard FE. On return to Perth from the Tas Nationals I noticed that the 'backlash' in the diff seemed more pronounced, so I took the car to an 'old school' diff and gear box specialist. Had been to them before and they seemed ok. Picked the car up and was told they withdrew the axle, took the tail shaft off, unbolted the housing and put in one or two shims. Sure enough it seemed to have corrected the problem until a couple of days later I was working under the bonnet and noticed all the brake fluid had gone out of the reservoir. Topped it up then drove it 2kms down to the brake people whom I have dealt with before. Next day when I picked it up they said they could find no problems with the brake system although where the axle housing meets the wheel hub blistering of paint was noticed. The diff people were told and they said they didn't touch the brakes, just withdrew the axle. This morning after a 30 min drive on getting out of the car a distinct odour of brakes and heat was noticed and at touch was very, very hot. It is now back at the brake shop and my gut feeling is it will be what they have done to the diff and the shim (shims) they have put in. Has anyone had a similar problem. Toowoomba is a bit far to chance it, although hopefully sorted by then
Regards JohnBM West Aust

Sounds like the brakes may not be releasing, put the car in neutral, jack up the rear and see if you can spin the wheels if they are stuck unwind the adjusters a few turns. If the wheels spin, take them off and remove the drums and check the wheel cylinders for any leaks. If in doubt take it back to the brake guys and get them to check the system out.
Regards, Jim

Pulling the axles is difficult without removing the brake shoes as the handbrake mechanism gets in the way . I suspect the handbrake lever or mechanism has not been replaced correctly . Haydn

I had a similiar problem. The rear wheel bearing was worn causing the brake drum to come into contact with the brake shoes.

If wheel nuts were over tensioned with rattle gun, it may of distorted brake drum and cause brake shoes to lock.
Spin wheel by hand, if tight back off wheel nuts and try again.

Regards Seb.