Fixing coaster brakes

[jlhoff350]

Hi All - Trying to fix the coaster brakes on the bike my daughter outgrew so we can give it to the younger daughter of a family friend. However, the coaster brake is no longer working and I obviously don't want to give away something that is useless or unsafe. I'm not handy but decided to give it a try. The problem is that the brakes just would not engage at least not without turning the pedals backwards maybe 1-2 full revolutions. It really occurred after I took the wheel off to put on a new tube/tire. It's been useless ever since that event.

I started with these sites:
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/coaster-hub-overhaul-pedal-brake-hub

http://www.troubleshooters.com/bicycles/1speed/1speed_overhaul.htm

I got the thing apart. No problem there.

Here's the problem: How do I know/detect the problem? Not sure what can possibly be wrong with this. What am I looking for to fix? Do I really have to clean off all the grease to fix it? What is most likely to be the problem? From what I can see thru the grease, nothing seems to be all that abnormal from the pics I saw at the sites listed above.

Thanks for any guidance provided.

Jay

[nfmisso]

Jay; how about some pictures of the problem brake. Is the reaction bar connected to the frame?

[cny-man]

Important to know the brand, which is on the hub shell or the brake arm. 90% chance the problem is hardened grease, but it may be a return spring on some models.