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| | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 486 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 486 | I drove my '64 to work on day after it sitting for a couple of months. It's about 20 miles each way. On the way home the brake pedal was very stiff and it seemed like the brakes might be dragging a little. I could still stop the truck by really standing on the pedal but it definitely wasn't right. I haven't had time to check it out yet but I'd appreciate any suggestions on what might be wrong. Thanks.
'64 swb stepside (gone)
'57 1 ton
'53 phone truck
'59 swb
'46 1 1/2 ton
'68 swb gmc
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | Check the free play on the rod going into the master cylinder. | | | | | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,312 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,312 | Assuming power assist on the brakes ?
Could be Booster seal leak, or vacumn leak. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,186 | I just went through this on my 1955 1st 6400. I ended up replacing everything front to rear including the Hydro-Vac. The problem I had was identical to yours. I would drive and the pedal would get harder every time I pushed. The rear brakes would eventually be so tight it would stop the truck. What I found was the front brakes were completely non functioning. The rear brakes had gotten so hot the rubber parts had literally melted. Another problem I had was bleeding the rear brakes. What I eventually did was retract the rear shoes all the way to make the space in the four rear wheel cylinders as small as possible. This allowed me to bleed the rear brakes and finally get all the air out of the cylinders. The bleeding took forever and was never good until I did this. Brakes are important, do them properly and the best you can the first time.
Bruce | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,893 Socket Breaker | | Socket Breaker Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,893 | my '65 c10 with the power booster did this same thing, the vacuum booster was gone, once I swapped it out, it was fine.
If you do not have power brakes, then it is something else, of course.
-W
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 698 | it seemed like the brakes might be dragging a little. Dirt/gunk in the return port of the m/c - time to clean and rebuild.
My Fleet: 19411953195919651966 1953 Willy's Pickup John Vegetarian- old Indian word for bad hunter
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,002 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,002 | And, don't forget the often forgot brake hoses. They may look fine from the outside, but they contract on the inside, and will not allow fluid to flow either way.
Victor
~ Victor 1941 3/4-Ton Pickup (in process). Read about it in the DITY Gallery1955 Grumman Kurbside "Doughboy" 235/3 on tree w/ OD 1957 3100 - moved on 1959 C4500 Short Bus "Magic Bus" - moved on 1959 G3800 1 Ton Dually "Chief" - moved on 1958 C4400 Viking "Thor" ~ moved on to fellow Bolter | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Vew has a good suggestion. Seen the problem he is talking about many times.... and not necessarily on just old trucks. | | |
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