brake pedal goes to the floor. no pressure!

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08-29-2012, 10:31 PM

cosmaar1

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brake pedal goes to the floor. no pressure!

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9; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> I have a 1951 ford f1 with a 239 flathead v8. When I press on the brake pedal it goes straight to the floor. There is no pressure or anything to it. The truck has been sitting for a while so I am assuming that the fluid has leaked out of the lines. I notice that under the cab bolted to the frame, the master cylinder is there. My question is, how do I add fluid to the lines to see if I can get pressure. Please help. Thanks!

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08-29-2012, 11:28 PM

52 Merc

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Having the master cylinder in place is half the battle. You can access the fill hole through a plug in the drivers foot well on the cab floor. Put fluid in and see if you can bleed the brakes. If it's been dry and/or unused for some time, a full and complete brake hydraulic system overhaul and replacement may be in order. It could be full of gunk and rust. And there's no fixing that without replacing everything.

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08-30-2012, 06:31 AM

FortyNiner

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What he said.

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08-30-2012, 08:08 AM

cosmaar1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 52 Merc

ehhhhhhh i hope thats not the case. you are saying to use hydraulic fluid... correct?

i know i am hijacking my own thread, but speaking of fluid i have a question about the transmission. it is a 3 speed with the shifter on the column. what do i use for fluid there.. hydraulic as well?

thanks!

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08-30-2012, 09:11 AM

oldmerc

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Brake systems are hydraulic type but they use a special fluid that can withstand much higher temperatures . Brake systems are a closed system . I suspect you need a complete brake system overhaul . Get a manual for your truck if you don't already have one , and start pulling off brake drums to inspect condition .

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08-30-2012, 09:19 AM

raytasch

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Just my humble opinion, but unless you know the condition of the brake system, consider that brake overhaul. If your system is low on fluid, you have a leak. If you have one leak you have the potential for more than one leak. Any leak in these single system brake configuration can be fatal. Do yourself and all around you a favor and make sure the brakes are right.

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08-30-2012, 09:25 AM

BigPigDaddy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmaar1

ehhhhhhh i hope thats not the case. you are saying to use hydraulic fluid... correct?

"Hydraulic fluid" is a general term and is actually redundant (hydra = fluid). 52Merc was just saying that you need to overhaul the fluid portion of your brake system, meaning the master cylinder, hard fluid lines, soft fluid hoses, and wheel cylinders. The "hard" parts of the system include the brake pedal, master cylinder push rod, brake shoes, springs, etc. Those parts probably have nothing to do with your issues and only warrant inspection.

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brake pedal goes to the floor. no pressure!

brake pedal goes to the floor. no pressure!

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