1985 big red 250es Brake Problem HELP

[panthers06232]

i just bought this big red had no brakes on the rear i bought cable and shoes installed them but now when i push the foot petal down the brakes engage and work just fine but my problem is the foot petal does not come back up what am i missing why wont the petal come back up i have the spring in the adjuster in the back of the trike any help appreciated

[aldochina]

the springs that hold the pads together play a large role in pedal return, make sure the cam that opens the pads is well greased. also there is a large spring under the pedal itself.

[dougspcs]

Check the pivot for the foot brake lever..

Remove the cable from the lever and press it down..chances are you will find the pivot is all siezed.

Remove the foot lever and disassemble it..clean the rust and lube it.

This same thing happened to my 250ES.

[panthers06232]

so if the springs that hold the shoes in place are worn ill have no pedal return i will have to see if the spring under the pedal is even there thanks for the input and will it return without anything back on it i just put it back together still on jacks does the tire need to be on the ground for return

[panthers06232]

the foot pedal falls straight to the floor when the cable is not connected to it it is not binding up or anything like that

[panthers06232]

also guys if you push the pedal back up by hand the brakes stay engaged you have to pull the actuall adjuster in the back to make them let loose

[Jason125m]

Your brake cam is sticking. Take it apart, and grease it. My 250es started doing that a couple of weeks ago. Greased it up, and its perfect again.

[tri again]

For some reason, the shaft that is operated by the brake pedal and lever
looks like it had been painted and was real stiff to rotate.
Actually had to BEAT it out of there with a drift and
3 pound sledge on 2 of the trikes.
One BR and one sx.

It's almost like the original lube for that shaft turns to sticky paint
about the thickness of regular paper.
A minute with sandpaper and some grease and the spring tension from the shoes
actually is enough to return it.
(x2 aldo)

I mean, I sprayed for weeks and even hooked a monster bungee to help it return.
but it needed to be kicked back or tapped with a hammer to get it to release.

Got tired of having brakes as a one trick pony so I tore it all apart,
simply cleaned that brake actuator shaft,
greased it and viola'.
No one believes that I have a trike with brakes,
but it also keeps mere mortals from wanting to ride them.

PS - While you're near there, make sure you have good looking gear oil in the rearend differential.
It's only 3 Point 3 ounces and it needs every drop, and easily contaminated with water.

[panthers06232]

when you move the brakes with your hand with adjuster in the back it moves fairly easy should it its not locked up or anything

[tri again]

when you move the brakes with your hand with adjuster in the back it moves fairly easy should it its not locked up or anything

but you still have to pull back on the actuation lever back by the brakes to get it to release,
right?
Sometimes pull it back with your toe, some need to be hit with a rock
and some will jam like they're welded.

I tried spraying and hooking a bungee cord to help it release/return
You can also check your return spring right on the actuator
itself.
It has a hook to pull it backwards and the other end simply fits into a
casting hole on the brake drum 'backing plate'. so it may have simply popped out.
You'll have to either tip the trike waaay over or stand on your head to see it.
since it's at around the 7 o'clock position relative to the actuator arm on the outside of the drum
backing plate.

[H2Sbass]

this is why I detest drum brakes. If you ride in water or mud at all, it seems like you have to take them apart and service them every second time you use them. Guaranteed like someone else said the pivot bolt is sticking. I have the same problem, the worst is they return just enough that they don't make obvious noise or drag but they do make drag and my engine will start to run hot. Meanwhile my riding buddies get annoyed having to stop every time we go down a hill so I can f with my stupid brakes. Give me hydraulic discs any day, self adjusting, better fade, self cleaning, no seized cables, etc.