[64 Bonnie Ragtop]

Recently when braking, I noticed a softness in the pedal. After reversing and hitting the brake firmly, the problem seemed to have been corrected, but it reoccurred again. I applied the same strategy, and received the same results....brake pedal is fine for a while, then softness. The fluid is fine, and there are no leaks. I was able to spin the rear tires as hard as I could and they both made about a 3/4 revolution. The fronts, on the other hand, made 4 to 5 revolutions before they stopped spinning. I adjusted the fronts to about a 3/4 revolution by using a brake spoon on the star wheels. Is 3/4 of a turn an acceptable adjustment without running the risk of damaging the drums or prematurely wearing out the shoes? Since they are 8 lugs, I want to make sure before I take her out...I don't want to damage anything.

Thanks.

Vince

[pfilean]

Sounds a little tight to me. But I never liked a lot of drag on drum brakes. I wouldn't expect the adjustment procedure to be any different for the 8 lug than for the 5 lug. 61 shop manual says to adjust the shoes out until the wheel can just be turned by hand. Then back off 12 notches on the star wheel. Check after adjustment to see that the wheel turns freely without drag. So 3/4 turn sounds tight. Adjusting wheel on the right side of the car have left hand thread.

[gregneun]

the second touch on my brake pedal is more firm leading me to believe it"s vacuum related. It's almost second nature to me anyway, since I grew up with these cars in the midwest. That is on my 64 GP. The 70 GP, with front discs acts normal.

Greg

[pfilean]

Brakes pumping up to a more solid feel has always been the symptom of air in the lines and needing to be bled.

[64 Bonnie Ragtop]

Thank you Greg and pfilean for taking the time to respond and sharing your thoughts/advice. I haven't had an opportunity to test drive it after I made the adjustments. Hopefully I'll get a chance to do so sometime this weekend.

Vince

[64catdroptop]

Vince,

I've always noted that having to pump up the brakes (as you state) as an indication you've got a master cylinder geting ready to go south on you, air in the lines,... or both

Ron

[64 Bonnie Ragtop]

Thanks, Ron. I'm thinking that I should replace the master cylinder before it goes on me at an inopportune time. I've had the car for 6 years, and I don't know when the master cylinder was installed, but I bet it was many years ago.

Vince.

[64 Bonnie Ragtop]

I finally got a chance to test drive my car after adusting the brakes last week. At first, I was convinced that the simple adjustments solved my problem because when I hit the brakes, it didn't take much pressure on the pedal to make the car stop...no softness. After a short drive, just as I was pulling into the garage, the symptons reoccurred...the car wasn't stopping unless I pressed harder than normal on the brakes. I pumped the brakes, and braking was a little more like normal. I will check the vacuum, but will not mess around with this...I will definitely replace the master cylinder which of course means bleeding the system, as well.

This is a follow up and for the benefit of guys who might encounter the same problem in the future.

Thanks to all who responded and shared their thoughts and advice. I really appreciate it

Vince