Rear brake sticks on 1999 dodge stratus

where the cables connect to the rear parking brake shoes is like a hook shape waht iv seen happen is thay rust and stick after being aplied only real fix is to remove and free them up and re assemble the parking brake taking the cables off wont release the shoes from teh drum and will cause more damage in more parts will be needed to compleat the repair

re move drum and shoes replace drum and rotate drum slowly to see where the drum catches then remove drum and tap back plate with hammer then try again untill its not catching ie both sides

Replace Drums, shoes, wheel cylinders and brake hardware.

Yes you can fix it. Jack wheel off ground after loosing lug nuts. Take off wheel. Pull drum if it wont come off hit it around the center with a hammer. If it has never been off there might be little washers on the studs break them off. If drum still won't come off there are holes in the plate behind the drum the shoes can't get past the ridge on the drum so you take two screwdrivers through the hole and lift up on the lever and use the other one to unscrew back off the shoes by moving the wheel up or down Remove drum take a bunch of pictures of the shoes so you can see how to put them on. Remove shoes. It would help to buy some cheap brake wrenches.Spray the brake line with some type of penetrant and remove brake line. Unbolt wheel cylinder and install new one. Replace brake shoes and springs Have drums turned or replaced if bad Install drums and bleed brakes.Start at the passenger rear fill it with brake fluid put cover on and have someone pump the brakes until the pedal is as hard as it will get Hold the pedal down and loosen bleeder screw on back of wheel cylinder brak fluid will squirt out and when it stops him holding his foot on the floor tighten the screw and pump the brakes up hard again bleed it about 8 more times go to the drivers rear and do the same there then the front passenger side and then the front drivers side make sure the brake fluid stays full if it empties out of the master cylinder to the bottom you will have to start over

Take a look here:




Many times it is necessary to retract the shoes slightly by turning the adjuster
star (inside the brake drum) to remove the drum.

If the drum is difficult to remove, remove the plug from the rear brake support plate. Push the self adjuster lever away from the star wheel using a thin screwdriver. The lever and star wheel are accessed through the hole on the rear brake support plate. Rotate the star wheel using a brake adjusting tool to retract the shoes.

Brake Drums & Brake Shoes Removal & Installation To Remove:
Rear Drum Brakes

1. Raise and safely support rear of vehicle.
2. Release parking brake.
3. Remove rear wheel assemblies. NOTE: If brake drum is stuck, install two 8 mm bolts into threaded holes and tighten evenly.
   
4. Remove top return spring, front and rear shoe spring clips and hold-down pins.
5. Remove anti-rattle spring and adjuster spring. NOTE: Note position of operating lever prior to removal.
   
6. Remove bottom return spring.
7. Remove clip and washer and detach parking brake cable from rear shoe.
8. Remove brake shoes.

To Install:

1. Lubricate all brake shoe contact points with appropriate grease.
2. Place operating level into position on hub.
3. Install rear brake shoe and connect parking brake cable to rear shoe with washer and clip.
4. Install front brake shoe and install bottom return spring.
5. Install hold-down pins and spring clips.
6. Position operating lever and install top return spring.
7. Install anti-rattle spring and adjuster spring.
8. Install brake drum and screws.
9. Adjust brakes and install rear wheel assemblies.

if you didn't replace the return springs that would most likely be the problem

Are the brake shoes on right, there are two size shoes, One shoe has a longer brake lining then the other. The short brake lining is towards the front of the van and the longer brake lining is towards the rear. The rear brakes also may need to be adjusted, you can do that by going in revers in a empty parking lot and push the brakes as hard as you can to stop the van. Don't give your self a whip lash, just push down gradually and as far to the floor you can about 7 to 10 times. The self adjusters should adjust the brake on both sides, try this first before you take the brakes apart again. It may just need a adjustment and after that check the brake fluid in the master cylinder. Good luck and hope this helps. Keep me posted, be glad to help

ITS POSS FOR IT TO BE THE WEIGHT VALVE IF THERE ONE FITTED IF YOU LOOK UNDER THE CAR NEAR CENTER OF REAR AXLE YOU SHOULD SEE A BOX WERE THE BOTH SIDES BRAKE PIPES GO TO THIS SHOULD HAVE A ARM ON IT WITH A SPRING.. THIS WORKS WHEN YOU PUT EXSTRA WEIGHT IN BOOT ETC IT ALTERS THE BRAKING POWER TO HELP WITH THE WEIGHT ETC. THIS IS PROB FAULTLY ,, AND NOT LETTING TO FLUID FLOW BACK

My drum brakes were worn and made a noise back there, perhaps the shoes are dragging?