Joined: Sat Mar 25 2006, 07:31PM
Location: Nebo, NC
Posts: 86
Problem: the brakes on my '70 300 (power drum brakes) feel like "anti-lock" brakes. The pedal only moves about 1/2 - 3/4" and the "bottom" is HARD. The brakes slow the car and the car eventually stops rolling. The only other symptom is that the chamber for the front brake system was empty when I checked it (car has been sitting). Obviously, I have a leak somewhere. I added fluid, expecting the brakes to be soft due to air in the fron lines, but encountered exactly the opposite.
I personally rebuilt these brakes top-to-bottom five years ago, going so far as to install stainless steel brake lines. Everything is new and of stock design.
Joined: Sat Dec 10 2005, 04:28PM
Location: United States
Posts: 4954
Hey Jeff
I am assuming you don't have a check brake light. . .
The loss of fluid may be indicating a leak, you are right. It may be the wheel cylinders. Usually, unless there is a puddle of fluid in the bottom of the drum, it doesent get on the shoes. But when it does get on the shoes, they usually grab.
I have seen instances when the brakes seem to be hard but still have a few bubbles in the lines. It's harder to tell on a dual master than a single.
I am assuming the brakes weren't like this when you parked it? <Key Word, "assume">
Joined: Tue Oct 11 2005, 01:33AM
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 5893
Could be a kinked brake line restricting the flow or could be sludge in the lines. A kink would allow fluid to flow to the brake because of the high peddle pressure but the brake return spring wouldn't have enough strength to push it back to the reservoir. Even a simple rock hit could dent the brake line enough to cause this. In any case if you take things apart again, you should blow the lines with compressed air if you've got it or really flush them well. If they look bad it may save a lot of screwing around to just replace the bad lines.
A hard pedal, and a small amount of travel indicates a bad power booster. If the brake fluid level stays up after you refilled the low master, check that the booster is functioning.
Provided you're not losing fluid, a hard pedal, and a small amount of travel indicates a bad power booster. If the brake fluid level stays up after you refilled the low master, check that the booster is functioning.
Joined: Fri Oct 28 2005, 12:14PM
Location: Toronto
Posts: 169
When my brake booster went I had to use both feet to press down and stop. There was no travel and it was like pressing down on a solid steel plate.
Just a little hint when you get a new one. I ordered a new one and didn't specify that it had vacuum assist, they sent me the wrong one I had to send it back and get the right one.
Joined: Sat Mar 25 2006, 07:31PM
Location: Nebo, NC
Posts: 86
Thanks, guys, for all of the suggestions.
My brakes were OK when I parked it last winter, although ever since the complete brake overhaul in '01 they haven't had that "through-you-through-the-windshield" sensitivity which is cahracteristic of Mopar power brakes; I have mixed emotions about that.
There may, indeed, be a clog in the line(s) which needs to be cleared since I don't drive it that much and probably haven't bled the brakes as often as I should, but if I have to replace new stainless steel lines every five years I'm just going to give up.
The booster was rebuilt by Booster Dewey five years ago, too. Ill call him and see how often this typically needs to be done, but I'm betting on an answer of "less frequently than every five years".
I'll check all of these areas out and let you all know what I find. Thanks again.