Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: brake problem, side wheels, rear brakes

Question
Ed,

I have an 91 Olds Cierra.  Because of its age I have been doing most of the maintenance.  Here is my problem:

when I am driving at about 30-40 mph and apply the brakes slowly for a stop everything seems fine.  When I need to stop faster at the same speed and apply the brakes harder, the car will pull to the right a little and sometimes it feels like the front or rear right side wheels lock and squeal.  I then have to pump the brakes quickly to stop and the wheels squeal each time.  Sometimes when I am backing up the rear brakes will give off a grinding sound but I think this is dust because it doesn't happen a lot but seems to happen more often when it is wet or raining.

The front and rear brakes including drums have been replaced within the past 3 years.

Any suggestion on what might be wrong?

Thanks for your help

Answer
Hi,Ron

Pull the rear drums and check the wheel cyl's for leaking,they usually leak and saturate the brake linings causing this problem,if they are leaking or one is leaking replace them both as a pair,if the shoes are saturated with brake fluid you'll need to change those as well.


ED