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Pumping the brakes


wolfy
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buble, thanks for bumping this to the top for me!  The rubber hoses are in fine shape.  Remember my pedal is firm both in the lower position and also when I pump the brakes up as well.  So a firm pedal at the lower position means those rubber hoses are not expanding.  But you are correct that could cause a low pedal, it would be soft or spongy however.  Thanks for the input!

 

 

So I did have some time finally to work on the car.  Been far to busy, 2 young kids and one on the way, just started a new job Monday, having the house painted, building a 1300 sq ft deck and many more projects as well.  Anyway Sunday afternoon I had some time to use "the tool"  This is the major brake adjusting tool that Chrysler had.  This tool is awesome.  Love how solid and heavy it is.  

 

So I first checked my passenger front.  This is the front one that did NOT have that strange angled rod.  Everything was aligned very nicely.  All nice and even.  Just as I figured as the wear on the shoes indicate that it is set up nicely.  Sorry these are the only 4 pics I took.  I ran out of time later to take some more.  And yes they are dark and not so nice.  

IMG_0522_zpsac4bpmrg.jpgIMG_0523_zpsdglym2gv.jpgIMG_0525_zpsd9oammco.jpg

 

So I decided to move on to my drivers front.  This one remember had the strange angle on the push rod.IMG_0484_zps10laccct.jpg

 

I set up the tool and it too was nice and even.  So I took off the springs and was able to reset that rod and the angle went away.  It now sits as it should.  Rechecked with the tool can't remember if I adjusted anything or not, but it wasn't much if I did anything on that one.  Moved on to the passenger rear and found another rod that was misaligned.  I missed that one the first time.  Got it set in and all was well there.  Good thing everything is less then 1 yr old and the rubber wasn't deformed or anything.  It all aligned right back up and looks great now.  Still no leaks or anything like that.

 

Went to the drivers rear and one of the shoes was a bit out of wack when I put the tool on it.  adjusted the major bolt and that too now is well.  

 

The results...

 

The pedal is much higher now!!!  I believe most if not all of the help came from getting those push rods straight.  This and the adjustment brought it up from 50% travel, that would be roughly the low setting, and that would be where it would have stopped, like locked up the brakes stopped.  Now it is about 25-20% travel. Much much better.  

 

Thank you all for your help with this! It is a nice feeling to win one and to get to know this car a bit better.

 

On another note I went to a local Mopar show / meet last Saturday night.  Great time!  I was the oldest car there so that was fun.  Another really nice restored 52 Plymouth was there but most all the other cars were 60-70's muscle cars.  Sounded great for sure!

 

Hope this will help others in the future as well.  

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Great! You're very fortunate to find someone to loan you a rare expensive tool. I was on the adjustment/travel side of the fence from the beginning. Glad you were able to get it solved. Air always equals spongy. Pumping to get a higher pedal is adjustment/travel.

Not too sure about the brakes hoses. They would have to expand a lot, which I've never seen or heard of. I've only see them get rock hard with age. Also seen them developed a torn flap inside and act as a check valve causing the brakes to not release. But I've only been alive for 38 years. Lol but been doing brake work since a kid.

Earl

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Your problem probably was the push rod severe angle IMO.

Excellent job of diagnosis and fix!

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Your problem probably was the push rod severe angle IMO.

Excellent job of diagnosis and fix!

 I completely agree.  The adjustment wasn't much, but it sure is great to know that they are truly set correct.  That rod angle was strange for sure. I honestly didn't do much to get it right, I just kinda "wiggled" it around after I took the springs off and it just set in.  I know very scientific.  

 

Great! You're very fortunate to find someone to loan you a rare expensive tool. I was on the adjustment/travel side of the fence from the beginning. Glad you were able to get it solved. Air always equals spongy. Pumping to get a higher pedal is adjustment/travel.

Not too sure about the brakes hoses. They would have to expand a lot, which I've never seen or heard of. I've only see them get rock hard with age. Also seen them developed a torn flap inside and act as a check valve causing the brakes to not release. But I've only been alive for 38 years. Lol but been doing brake work since a kid.

Earl

Yes that was super nice of him!  Austinsailor is who dropped it off for me.  Above and beyond, plus a super nice guy and very knowledgeable about cars!  and after I saw some prices for that tool, it was the miller tool, I was even more shocked.  That is if you can even find them...  

My thoughts exactly on the brakes.  As I stated from the beginning my pedal was firm whether it was low or high, that to me meant no air.  But I have only done brakes on a handful of vehicles.  52 GMC 91F150 93 Mazda protege and a few others.  I'm only 33 so not much younger then you!  I have heard of that flap causing a check valve type problem before as well.  

 

Just glad to have it much better.  Of all the things on vehicles the brakes must be perfect!  No on to some other things!

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Just an update.  Got to take the car out for a nice drive last night.  Pedal is much better!  Much higher and doesn't respond to pumping near as much.  

 

I just wanted to give you all an update.  

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So another update:  

 

I went ahead and replaced the rear shoes. The previous owner had a new relined set in the trunk for me!  Here is why I replaced them.  My drivers side front rear shoe was the only one that required some major adjustments.  I got the shoe adjusted and it was better.  However when looking back at some of my pictures I remembered that that shoe was worn a uneven.  See the pic below.

 

IMG_0478_zpsrx0ay2hz.jpg

 

So I replaced all the rear shoes, first because I still have the Miller tool, so now would be the best time.  2nd because I have the parts, and 3rd that one shoe was worn uneven.  I went through the rest of the minor adjustments again as well.  Not much change there of course.  

 

However now my pedal is perfect!!!  I would say it is 95-98% perfect.  Before I started the adjustments I would say 40-50% right, then after I went through it with the miller tool and fixed the rod angles, 85-90% perfect.  Now its just right!  I just wanted to follow up with everyone so others that search can find the solution to my problem.  

 

A Review:

  1. Got the car, brakes weren't the best
  2. Bled the brakes because the old fluid was just old and nasty. Bled until clean clear fluid out of every bleeder.  Never found any air in the system.  
  3. Pedal feel better, but the height was not effected, still had to pump the brakes. Pedal feel better because of the fresh fluid I am sure.
  4. Tried to adjust just the minor adjusters, no change, they were already as close as they could be.
  5. Removed the drums.  Found all new or recently new components!  Found 2 rod angles that were "strange"
  6. Got the Miller tool from an awesome forum member, Austin.
  7. Fixed the strange push rod angles.  Shoes just had to be moved around a bit, not sure how or why they were like that but an easy fix.
  8. This made the largest difference in the pedal height.  Pedal came back to 80% instead of 40%!!!
  9. Went through the car with the Miller tool and found one shoe out of adjustment.  Went and replaced the rear shoes.  Adjusted with the Miller tool. Pedal even better!  95% perfect
  10. Adjusted the whole car again with the minor adjustments, nothing big here, just for piece of mind.  Brakes are great now!  

Will keep you all posted.  Glad to have the pedal at the top of the travel now. Brakes work great

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I got to see Wolfy's car earlier this week when I picked up the brake tools. I don't think he's really let you in on just what a gem he has. 

 

This thing is an original, un-repainted even, car with around 32K miles. Paint looks close to new, metal and chrome very nice, this thing is one nice survivor. The gauges and dash, including plastic, look new. Sits and runs like a sewing machine. One nice car.

 

And brakes - yes, they are about 85 - 90% of pedel when you step on them hard. 

 

A little patching of the seams of the upholstry where the thread has given up in a few places and it would be pretty nice as well. I was quite impressed.

 

Gene

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I got to see Wolfy's car earlier this week when I picked up the brake tools. I don't think he's really let you in on just what a gem he has. 

 

This thing is an original, un-repainted even, car with around 32K miles. Paint looks close to new, metal and chrome very nice, this thing is one nice survivor. The gauges and dash, including plastic, look new. Sits and runs like a sewing machine. One nice car.

 

And brakes - yes, they are about 85 - 90% of pedel when you step on them hard. 

 

A little patching of the seams of the upholstry where the thread has given up in a few places and it would be pretty nice as well. I was quite impressed.

 

Gene

Gene:

 

Thanks so much for the compliment on the car.  I couldn't believe I found it and what it was!  Love the car.  So much fun to pile my whole family in and go for a cruise.  

 

I can't thank you enough for letting me borrow your tool.  Without that I wouldn't have the nice pedal feel I do now!  

 

Oh send me over your contact in Texas for the AM radio rebuild.  

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