Brake pedal return

[Jim Yergin]

The brake pedal on my '41 Plymouth is not returning all the way back after I let up on the pedal. It comes back about 90% of the way and seems to "catch" and I have to pull it back the rest of the way. The brakes engage and release fine otherwise. Any suggestions I what I should be looking at?

Jim Yergin

[Niel Hoback]

Make sure the dust seals aren't binding against  the pedal,  grease the pivot shaft and shorten the return spring.  In that order.

[Don Coatney]

Make sure the return spring is still in place.

[50desotocoupe]

Where would one find a brake pedal return spring?  Is it a case of removing and going to a parts store or is there a supplier? 

[Don Coatney]

If it were me looking for a brake return spring I would look through my spring assortment and find one just heavy enough to return the pedal to the top of its travel without hindering the operation of the pedal. Nothing magic about a brake return spring.

 

[Joe Flanagan]

Jim, if yours is missing, I have a couple of extra springs lying around. If they aren't the exact item, they probably could be made to work.

[Jim Yergin]

Thanks for all the suggestions. My return spring is there but maybe it has lost some strength. I will check it out.

The thing is the pedal returns just about to the free play outer limit, just enough to keep the mechanical brake light switch on. Makes it easy to run down the battery if I don't remember when I stop and leave the car.

Jim Yergin

[1952B3b23]

If you do indeed need a new spring and can't find one local to you. You can always go online to McMaster-Carr and they'll probably have something useable for you.

-Chris

[Jim Yergin]

I found and fixed the problem. The ECI pivot bar I have in the car had become misaligned with the brake pedal pushrod keeping the pedal from moving freely all the way back to rest. Got it aligned and the pedal returns fine now.

Jim Yergin