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#362102 01/18/2008 2:06 AM
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tmm
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New Guy
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I'm having no luck getting the rear brakes to work on a neighbors 55 GMC 350 series truck. I've bled the brakes numerous times but still no pedal. The master cylinder went out and I installed a new one but can't get the rear wheel cylinders to even move. But when I bleed them I get solid fluid. I plugged the rear line just before the rear wheel cylinders and have plenty of pedal. So I'm thinking the problem is in the rear. Any suggestions? Thanks,....

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Wrench Fetcher
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Either the rear brakes are way out of adjustment, or the wheel cylinders are seized


1970 C50 dump! saving orphans from the CRUSHER
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'Bolter
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Hy guys, I agree the rear brakes could be way out of adjustment, but if the wheel cylinders were siezed you'd have a good pedal but no brakes.

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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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tmm,

Does your truck have a hydrovac unit? If so, did you bleed it as per the Maintenance Manual?

Tim

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tmm
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I'd already adjusted the brakes earlier. Now this truck does have the dual wheel cylinders so is there a special way to properly bleed them? This has really baffled me. Also, I'm thinking if the local Napa store sold me the wrong master cylinder. Is there a difference from the pickup MS and a 2 ton version?




















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Originally Posted by tmm
Is there a difference from the pickup MS and a 2 ton version?

Yes, a big size difference.
I would be surprised if you ever get the pickup one to work on that big truck, even with the brakes adjusted really tight...

Grigg


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
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tmm
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It does have the hydrovac unit but I did not bleed it. My thought was if I plugged the line beyond the unit and just before the rear wheel cylinders and had great pedal that the hydrovac wouldn't be the problem. Is that wrong for me to assume that? What is the proper way of bleeding the hydrovac?



























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Do you have a shop manual for the truck?

Grigg

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tmm
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[quote=Grigg]Do you have a shop manual for the truck?

No I do not but I'm still searching,..


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Then you should look here
http://chevy.tocmp.com/

And here for a 54 manual
http://chevy.tocmp.com/shop/1954truck/index.html

Follow the instructions for the brakes, it may be helpful?

Did you figure out if you have the right bore MC?

Grigg


1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,112
'Bolter
'Bolter
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If the truck has the dual wheel cylinders with the shoes top and bottom, there is a special procedure for bleeding them. That is because the cylinders are vertical and the air doesn't get to the bleeder with the brakes adjusted normally. Read the procedure in the manual.


1951 GMC 1 Ton Flatbed -- It is finally on the road and what a great time I have driving it!
1951 1 Ton Completed


My Chevy Master 4 Door is on the Road!

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