MG Car Repair: Rear brake sticking on, (not handbrake), mgb roadster, rear brakes

Question
Hi Howard, I have a 1972 MGB roadster, the rear brake shoes are sticking on after footbrake is released, obviously causing brakes to overheat and cost me more in fuel! Handbrake releasing no problem, could it be new return springs required? many thanks Steve

Answer
Hi Steve,
You didn't say only one side or both sides. If it is one side it is possible that a wheel cylinder is sticking but if it is both sides that is not likely, the more likely is a swelled shut rear hose or a master cylinder problem. Easy to test, by just jack the car up in the rear and pump the brakes hard and release the pedal and feel the rear brakes and then do it again and this time loosen the line at the master cylinder to see if they free up. If not pump them up hard again and this time open a bleeder at a wheel to see if one or both free up. This way you can isolate the cause. If opening the line nor the bleeder free them up go under the car and force the curved hand brake lever at each wheel toward the wheel to see if a stuck hand brake cable is the cause.
Howard