Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | |
7 members (50Chevy3100, RdsLessTaken, DadsFirstPickup, tclederman, Cletus1950, Ponchogl, 1 invisible),
202
guests, and
3
robots. | | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,107 Posts1,056,225 Members48,436 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 | I replaced the master cylinder on my 58 step van and the brake pedal only goes down only slightly. The last cylinder was dead and I had no brakes, so I'm unsure of correct brake pedal travel. The brake light switch is now unable to trip because of the short travel of the pedal. should I adjust the bracket that places the switch in the pedals path? Maybe too much fluid? I sure would appreciate any comments or suggestions. Thanks, Chaz
1958 Chevy Grumman Olson step van
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 | Before you replaced the MC did the truck roll and stop? Are any of the wheel cylinders frozen up? Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 | Did you adjust the rod that pushes the MC piston so the pressure in the brake lines can release as the pedal hits the stop? After a few brake applications you might be getting a solid stack of fluid from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders, the pedal will be very high, and all the brakes will drag.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 | Thanks guys, I'll take a second look tomoorow.
1958 Chevy Grumman Olson step van
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 307 | Hey Jerry, I think your deduction is the most plausable. I found the return spring was worn out and now have a new one installed. The pedal is very high, and brake only goes down maybe a couple inches. How can I reduce the stack of fluid? Bleed? Thank you, Chaz
1958 Chevy Grumman Olson step van
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 | First, adjust the master cylinder pushrod so it takes about 3/4" to 1" of pedal travel before the M/C piston starts to move. To get the pressure off the system, crack any one of the bleeder screws open at one of the wheels and you'll probably get a quick squirt of fluid. John's fire truck was doing the same thing at the Homecoming, and shortening the pushrod a little solved the problem. Good luck!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,280 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,280 | Shouldn't simply adjusting the push rod to the correct length allow the piston in the master cylinder to return to the fully released position, exposing the port allowing the fluid to return to the reservoir?
Last edited by 52Carl; 06/03/2017 2:24 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 | Yes, theoretically. If there's more than one problem, like a collapsed flex hose, for instance, it might be necessary to vent a wheel cylinder. The problem will come back even with the right M/C stroke if that happens but only one or two brakes will drag.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 86 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 86 | does the new master cylinder have the same bore as the old one? If the new one has a larger bore it will move more brake fluid per stroke. just thinkin | | |
|
|
