Brakes!

General Discussion

3 replies in this topic | 1,449 reads
z11375ss
Beginner
#1

Ok, got a problem on my 68 Cutlass S. I push the brakes. They are soft. Gave it to my guy and asked him to fix it. He tested them and said all was good. Things are not all good IMO. The pedal does not come up in a regular way after using the brakes, plus they just plain stink which is why I brought it to him in the first place. In fact I've gotten out of the car and the brake lights are still on because the pedal has not assumed its correct position and is pushing on the brake light switch. The pedal is VERY slow and lethargic to assume its correct position. I'm bringing it to my local shop to see if they can make the brake pedal stiff, like it used to be. Any comments? Any remedies? I thought it might bethe master (and still do) but the mechanic said everything checked out. Well, it may have checked out but the brakes still work like shit.I'm staying off of CO because they're a bunch of douches. They can suck it.

Joffroi
Administrator
#2

I assume the brake fluid looks good? I've also had some issues with my 68's brakes. Had to replace the back drum shoe (which was crazy, never really dealt with drums before). It probably didn't help that I didn't have a tool to help with the springs. Brakes are still spongy so I know I have air in the system so I'll be bleeding the system this weekend with a buddy. I've gotten a lot of good help from CO, but to each his own. Thats probably for another discussion in the "anything goes" forum haha.

Slackcat
Newbie
#3

Sounds like air in the lines to me. While your bleeding the system knock off the drums and make sure everything inside is in good working order. After so many years the adjusters freeze up, wheel cylinders leak, rubber brake lines collapse.

z11375ss
Beginner
#4

I agree with you. Sounds like air in the lines to me too. I bled the brakes to make sure they were all good. The car is in such good shape the rear drum brake assembly looks damn near new.

So here was the fix. I took it to a good shop I have a relationship with and they could find nothing wrong. I asked if I could panic stop the car and he said yes, I could. I asked if he was satisfied with the way the brakes functioned. He said yes. I said I would be as well if he said he thought they were ok. I trust him.

So I drive the car. The brakes are for shit. Still. So I take it to a shop near my house who I've dealt with before. He calls me and says it was a good thing I had brought it in because I was about to be with zero brakes in a matter of time.

It seems the pin that holds the master cylinder actuator to the brake pedal had worked itself half way out of position and was on its way all the way out. It was not allowing the pedal to come all the way back up to the start position. Hence me getting out of the car and the brake lights still being on. I would put my toe under the pedal and pull it up. It was on its way to falling out and me having NO brakes! Holy Cow!

So in conclusion, the second shop fixed what the first shop should have. I never even considered this to be the problem as I had never encountered it before. I called shop #1 and told my guy what happened. Didn't ask for my money back as I know he had a couple hours in it.

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