Won't Roll

[nate6472]

Just picked up a 78 109" today from the port. With everything in neutral, it will not roll freely. Seems to be the front wheels. When in gear, it is hard to get it to go forward or reverse and there are tread marks on the drive. Could the front brakes be locked up? This is the oldest model I have had. Does "free wheeling hubs" have anything to do with it? Thanks in advance for your response

[Linus Tremaine]

has it been sitting?

If its been sitting its probably brake drag. If its not been sitting it could still be brake drag, but probably for different reasons. I am, assuming you are just pushing it by hand?

[Terrys]

Check the hoses at the wheels. They may be collapsed. If not that, try backing off the adjusters

[nate6472]

if in neutral, should the front and back wheels turn by hand if both suspended off the ground? Asking so I know which brakes to look at first. Also, is it possible to disable the parking break?

[LaneRover]

if in neutral, should the front and back wheels turn by hand if both suspended off the ground? Asking so I know which brakes to look at first. Also, is it possible to disable the parking break?

In Neutral the wheels should spin by hand. If the parking brake is stuck on you could put the transfer case in neutral and the front wheels should then be able to spin. That would tell you if the parking brake is the culprit.

If you think it is the brakes at the wheels then one option is to use something to pull the rover and give each rim a sharp rap with a hammer. The bigger the better and not so hard that you are bending things but a sharp rap to hopefully break the rust or whatever is holding your brakes solid.

[nate6472]

Seemed to brake freeze with the fronts. Pulled the drums, cleaned with brake cleaner and they turn by hand. Not as easy as the rears though. Thanks for your help

[pgeorgeson]

This happened to me. Rolled fine, but then after sitting for a couple months, front wheel was stuck. I loosened the brake shoe adjustment screw and that let the wheel spin freely.

[morgant]

I see you've put this up on eBay.