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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!
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| | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 | '53 3100, new wheel cylinders, new brake shoes, new flex lines and slightly used original type MC from a fellow bolter here. I didn't tear down the MC because he said he put very few miles on it before wrecking his truck.
After I adjusted the brakes and bled the system I had a nice firm pedal. When I drove the truck last fall it only took a few miles I noticed more drag. By the time I got home the front wheels were very hot. I tried loosening the adjusters each time I drove and they still tightened up. I finally pulled the drums and saw the wheel cylinders were not retracted all the way.
Is the MC not working properly?
Allan
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1951 GMC 1/2-ton
Two 1953 Chevy 3100 5-window
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy magfarm51, adjust the pedal linkage at the master cylinder so there is a slight clearance between the master cylinder plunger, and the pedal linkage. If that doesn't fix the problem then you'll have to remove the master cylinder and figure out why the piston is not returning to the stop, hope that helps. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 | Thanks 3B, I didn't think to look there...I'll do that tomorrow.
Allan
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1951 GMC 1/2-ton
Two 1953 Chevy 3100 5-window
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | If you have your 13/16” adjustment at the brake peddle and it still locks up the brakes then; a problem very often encountered when an inexperienced back yard mechanic puts a kit in the AD master cylinder is to reverse the push rod stop washer on reassembly. The cylinder still pumps pressure ok but the reversed washer keeps the piston from clearing the compensating port and releasing the pressure. After a rest of 15-20 minutes the pressure bleeds down enough so you can drive it again until the brakes are applied once more. Then the whole stuck brake thing starts all over again. Here is a page from the shop manual: http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/141624137 Denny Graham Sandwich, IL
Last edited by Denny Graham; 02/20/2012 11:50 AM.
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 | Excellent point Denny, if it's not a simple adjustment issue then that's the next place I'll look. Thanks.
Allan
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1951 GMC 1/2-ton
Two 1953 Chevy 3100 5-window
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 | The pedal adjustment was it. There was still some slight pressure on the MC causing the brakes to stay tight. Once I adjusted the pedal they loosened right up so I could properly adjust them. Thanks!
Allan
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1951 GMC 1/2-ton
Two 1953 Chevy 3100 5-window
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | As the old saying goes Allan, "If all else fails, read the manual."
Denny G
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 341 | I learned my lesson on that Denny  ...thanks!
Allan
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1951 GMC 1/2-ton
Two 1953 Chevy 3100 5-window
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