This problem has been getting worse for 1-2 years now. The left front wheel on my black Imp locks up when I brake and pulls to the left. In the past I have pumped the brakes hard at a stop and then it seems better for a bit. When I took the buggy out Sunday for the first time this season, it is very hard to stop as it seems the left front is doing all the work and with no weight in the front, it locks up and slides.

I have Neal discs on the back and stock '65 drums on the front with braided flex lines. I don't want to put a lot of money into the fronts as I want to swap them to discs. But I have heard all front discs push the wheels out and the tires barely fit inside the front fenders as it is so I suspect I'll need a narrowed (and adjustable as I have now) beam.  Feels like a big job, but I think I could set most of it up new off the buggy and then swap it in one piece - hook up brake lines and steering - and be back on the road.

But if I could get it to stop again (it used to stop great) with something simple, I'd prefer to go that route.  It's also hard to do any testing on my own... 

Any thoughts on where to start?
Thanks, Paul...

Paul it could be as simple as just needing adjusted to a complete brake job. Only way you will know for sure is to pull the brake drums off and check them out.
Evan

Follow and view the brake lines themselves running from the master cylinder to each of the brakes.  Look for rust, oil, and dents.
Old lines can rust out (inside and out) and partially plug on one side shifting the braking to the other. 
I have even seen where I can fully bleed all four lines and still get one brake locking.
It was only when I found oil and rust on a line that I could see very slow seepage and after a really hard emergency push on the brakes did it finally burst.

Thanks Ron-I'll follow all the lines. They are all stainless steel hard lines except for the very short joint connecting the long front to rear line with the splitter at the rear. I can picture how a dent could cut off flow. I have done some very hard pushes on the brakes in case a wheel cylinder might be stuck closed and the pressure is very good thanks to the braided stainless flex lines. Paul...

Just a Question Paul, do you have a proportioning valve on your brakes?  Just something we deal with in our Old Internationals when we have drum and disk together.

lloyd

Hey Lloyd-I have not put a proportioning valve in yet.  I'd like to.  Any suggestions on brand and model? Paul...

I had used one of these in the past after a partial disc swap out. 

https://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C13%2D16%2D3157

Nice as they are adjustable.  But, with your pulling being one sided as you describe, I expect something else is going on.

How old are the slave cylinders.  The a piston can (after wear) bind on one side.

I will make the assumption that you have fully examined all the brake parts at each wheel, the drums, shoes, springs, retaining clips and adjusters.....

Paul, these other guys have better information than I do, I just "pick" up on some of this while being admin on the OldIhc Forums.   Life changes, I no longer have any of my toys.  My 67 cougar is gone, my Jefferies Dune buggy is gone, My International is gone.  Now live in an RV Full time and on the road.  Still enjoy reading about all you guys and your adventures and helping when I can.