Oops, What Happened?

We took a drive last week. As we came up to a traffic light I put my foot on the brake, and Blue Goose (BG) took about a one foot jump to the left. The left front brake grabbed for some reason. We continued on and I was very careful with the application of the brakes. But nothing else happened. On the way home I did notice a rubbing sound coming from the left front brake.

After getting home I jacked up the wheel and, sure enough, it was very hard to turn the wheel. The shoe was rubbing. I compared that with the right front wheel. It turned freely without rubbing. Then I spent a couple of days figuring out how to remove the brake drum. I finally was able to remove it and found what I had suspected, the return spring had broken. A new one ($3.50) is now one the way. BG should be as good as new by next weekend.

The picture shows all of the parts associated with the removal of the brake drum. The broken spring is at the bottom next to the drum. You can also see the rear shoe hanging loose.