The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts What the heck?

After honing the original slave cylinders and master cylinder rebuilds on my wife's '36 1.5 ton, I had great brakes for a full year. The shoes are all good and there are no leaks. Now after sitting 3 months I take it out for a cold February run and my brake pedal is rock hard and I only the slightest bit of brakes, almost went through my fence. I checked fluid level and it's up. No matter what I do I can not get my brakes back. I know I've got to go back into the system again but has any one been here before? The temp. was in the mid 30's but I don't think I had any water in the system to actually freeze any thing up.

Hy 1936only, could it be that your wheel cylinder pistons are frozen (seized) in their bores?

It's very possible 3B but they worked exceptionally well not 2 months earlier, I guess I'm in for a tear down this Spring. It felt the same when I installed a '53 Hydro-vac in the '36 when I first built it, I took it out to re-build it but now the same thing. Gotta be the pistons. I think I'll go with new slave cylinders this time. Thanks Bobb.

Does it change when the weather is warmer?

I took it out in December for a Christmas run and it was ok. It was about the same temp. I only honed out the slave cylinders and put in new rubber seals. They looked really good and have no leaks. I'll do the tear down again and check all around, shoes, drums, cylinders again. I kinda like knowing I can stop. I have alot of slop in the E-brake now also, Something to remember after the intial drive, readjust the brakes. Thanks guys, Rick.

My '54 GMC 2 ton is acting a little like that. I've only rebuilt the M/C though,and only have the "hard pedal" and the right rear tnds to heat up and lock after a few miles,even when adjusted all the way loose.
Is there a chance you have some water in the system?
Speed

I'm just testing right now. I've been having problems with several other forums. :mad:

Looks fine! WTF??

prob water in the sustem some where agrivated by a loose brake resevior cap or the bottle of brake fluid sitting on the shelf for a while. The fluid attracts water.

Don't forget the hoses, fronts and rears they may look good outside but swell up inside and fluid either won't pass thru to move the cylinder or if it does won't come back quick enough to release them all the way, I've had several lately that have done that.