Drum Brake Maintainence

[grhm]

I've got an old drum brake that has started squeeking recently. Is there any maintenance that I ought be doing to it?

It marked SACHS VT1000.

I've found some instructions on Sram's website for VT3000/VT5000 drum brakes. They look similar. The instructions don't mention any maintenence needs. Surely they can't work fine for ever?

 

[grhm]

Hmm.. I'll take it that the lack of response means that no-one can remember the last time they serviced their hub brake and assume I'll be alright to continue ignoring it.

 

[byegad]

That's the point. They are vitually fit and forget items. If it's squealing AND the braking is sub standard then bite the bullet and pull it apart. If its only squealing ignore it.

 

[grhm]

I've no idea if the braking is sub standard. It's on the front wheel on a Pashley Picador trike. There is also a caliper rim brake on the front wheel - which I suspect has steel rims which might not help. (The back wheels have no brakes at all). Both brakes work but neither is particularly powerful - but not sure if this is just my perception as I normally cycle a modern bike with V brakes.

I haven't had problems stopping yet... - but I'm not sure I'd fancy doing an emergency stop on it. It was this thought* that made me decide to ask about it on here.

* This though went through my mind as I was going down one of the local side roads that is quite steep**, with the child seat occupied, and realised that I was braking as hard as I could ~100feet back from the junction and only just stopped in time...

** between -10% and -20% according to mapmyride.com.