Brake pedal pulsates

[36Plymouth]

It looks like more people visit this section than "technical archives", so I'll post here also. Please see my recent post "Brake pedal pulsates" in the technical archives. I have one response (thanks, Tim) so far, but would like as many ideas as possible, so that I can repair and drive my '36 Plymouth this summer, as I have for the past 19 summers.

Thanks,

Pat O'Connor

[aero3113]

I would get your drums turned, they may be out of round.

[aero3113]

I jut read your other post. Since you heard a crack I would check all of your pads and drums for a crack

[P-12 Tommy]

If it pulsates real bad, I'd pull the drum or drums and check for shoe slippage. I had a shoe come loose from the frame and it made the pedal pulsate up and down. Let us know what you find.

Tom

[Young Ed]

I say its either a shoe that lost its lining or you broke a brake spring

[P-12 Tommy]

Ed, You worded it better than I did.

Tom

[P-12 Tommy]

I just saw your other post and saw that Tim said about the same thing.I should of read the other post first. My bad.

[36Plymouth]

Aero 3113, P-12 Tommy, Young Ed , thanks so much for the replies. I'm pretty sure that one (or more) of your suggestions will solve the problem.

So far, I've pulled the front brake drums (last fall) and everything looked OK, but I'll recheck. I now have a brake drum puller, so I can pull the rear drums. I'll have to wait until it's at least 40 degrees outside, cuz I'll have to do this in my driveway.

If anyone else reading this has an idea not already mentioned, I'm all ears. I had this brake pulsation a long time ago with a '72 Cutlass (drum brakes, front and rear). That time, the wheel stud holes in the front drums were egg-shaped, and boneyard drums from a Chevelle solved the problem.

[Joe Flanagan]

Where are you located that it's so cold? I feel your pain. I have to work pretty much outside, too.

[Guest P15-D24]

Just micing them may give you an idea how bad they are.

[36Plymouth]

GTK, thanks for the tip.

Joe, I live in Magnolia IL, about 40 miles north of Peoria. Out in the middle of the corn and bean fields; there's 287 people here when everyone is home.

Pat O'Connor

[Greenbomb]

My '50 did the same thing- was pulsing real bad then a loud "Pop" and the pedal went to the floor. One of the rear brakes threw a shoe. Just a reminder if you remove the rear drums: loosen the axle nut but only about 2 turns until the brake drum pops loose. You'll have tremendous pressure on the puller and without the nut on the axle end it could launch the drum right at you. You will say "OUCH", at least! Keep us posted.

[36Plymouth]

Thanks for the info, Greenbomb. '40Plymouth sent me the instructions a while ago on the Plymouth Owner's Club forum; that was back before I had a brake drum puller.

It's good to hear from someone who experienced the same symptoms. I also have the '36-42 Plymouth shop manual (reprint) that covers removing the rear drums pretty well. I'm going to print out the suggestions on this forum also, before I start on the rear drums.

Just waiting for warm weather now; my garage is so full of "stuff" (my wife has a different name for it) that I'll have to pull the Plymouth out on the driveway, so I'll have enough room to swing a hammer on the arm of the puller.

Pat O'Connor

[Robert Horne]

On my 38 Plymouth rear drums, I could never get the drums off, without bending an axle flange. I ground off the rivets. Drums come off easy now. That was over 20 years ago.

[aero3113]

Robert,I had the same problem with my left rear drum. It took me days to finally get it off. Here are the posts on the issue.

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=17863

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=17960

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=18207

Edited February 27, 2010 by aero3113

[1940plymouth]

Hey Pat, I told this was an AWESOME site, so glad that you joined,

Bob

[36Plymouth]

Well, it's been a while, but I was able to remove my rear brake drums. It turns out that the brake linings (both of them) came loose from the left rear brake shoes. I have ordered parts.

Thanks to everyone who responded: Aero 3113, Robert Horne, Greenbomb, P-15-D-24, Joe, P-12 Tommy & Young Ed.

I hope to be back on the road by the end of April.

Pat O'Connor

[1940plymouth]

If the weather holds out in Ill, you could be on the road by the end of next week:)

[P-12 Tommy]

Glad you found it.

Tom

[desoto1939]

On the rear brakes shoes were they bonded or riveted linings?

Not sure if this really matters but just more info for the guys. I like the riveted linings because I can replace them on my onw and also the newer bonded linings are starting to glaze up quicker then the old style linings withthe softer material.

I keep several sets on hand and when I replace a set I take the old rivets out and then reline the old shoes so I always have several spares around the house.

i can reline a set of 4 shoes in less than 1 hour.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[36Plymouth]

desoto1939-

The rear brake linings were bonded. I bought the car in 1990, and this is the first time I've had the rear drums off. I only drive it in good weather; I've put about 240000 miles on it in 20 years.

Pat O'Connor

[36Plymouth]

Ooops! Too many zeros!

That should be 24000 miles in 20 years.

Pat O'Connor