Squishy Brakes
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From: VA
Got parts ordered through NAPA. Going there this afternoon to pick them up. Got the front and rear brake lines (the rubber lines). Going to get some brake fluid too so that I can bleed the whole system.
Going to get into the rear drums and check them out. May be able to just adjust them to get them to work right. If not, I'll get replacement parts for them.
Hopefully getting all of this done this evening.
Going to get into the rear drums and check them out. May be able to just adjust them to get them to work right. If not, I'll get replacement parts for them.
Hopefully getting all of this done this evening.
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From: VA
i also have an 88 f350 XLT lariat with 4x4 crewcab, longbed and 460ci. i had that same issue except my pedal would go almost to the floor before it would even think about stopping. what cured mine was about 20 minutes of gravity bleeding, and a rear brake adjustment. now my pedal is nice and high, and stop on a dime.
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Got the rear drums adjusted, and they're working well now. The pedal still has a lot of movement until the brakes engage, but they're much stiffer once engaged. May end up adjusting them a little bit tighter, but they seem pretty good. The drums had a small bit of wear, and the shoes had almost no wear. I don't think they were gripping at all...
I tried to take the rubber brake lines loose, but the back one was tough because the metal lines connecting to it wouldn't turn freely (the nut wouldn't turn around the metal line). If I tried with more force, I would have just wrung off the metal line. So, I won't be able to do that until I have extra 3/16 brake line to replace what may be broken. The front lines didn't want to come loose from the top brackets. I shot them with some penetrating oil, and I'll try them again later.
I still need to flush the old brake fluid out of the system. I think new fluid will help a bit. My fluid is dark right now. Got new fluid, so I'll get that done and see what it does for everything.
Happy with the results so far from just adjusting the drums. Don't think I have any real issues, the whole brake system just needs some regular maintenance.
I tried to take the rubber brake lines loose, but the back one was tough because the metal lines connecting to it wouldn't turn freely (the nut wouldn't turn around the metal line). If I tried with more force, I would have just wrung off the metal line. So, I won't be able to do that until I have extra 3/16 brake line to replace what may be broken. The front lines didn't want to come loose from the top brackets. I shot them with some penetrating oil, and I'll try them again later.
I still need to flush the old brake fluid out of the system. I think new fluid will help a bit. My fluid is dark right now. Got new fluid, so I'll get that done and see what it does for everything.
Happy with the results so far from just adjusting the drums. Don't think I have any real issues, the whole brake system just needs some regular maintenance.
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From: VA
Bled the brake system and adjusted the drum brakes tighter this afternoon. Seems to have fixed everything. The fluid was black, and there was a little bit of air in it. The pedal sits high now, and it's hard as a rock. I'm glad it was as easy as that.
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From: VA
Well... Something else came up... I now have brake fluid leaking out of the bottom of the drum. It's pretty significant.
Leaky wheel cylinder I'm guessing. The drum seems to be stuck... Any tips on breaking it loose to replace the wheel cylinder?
Leaky wheel cylinder I'm guessing. The drum seems to be stuck... Any tips on breaking it loose to replace the wheel cylinder?
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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
If the shoes arent dragging and it is just stuck to the hub, smack it wit a big hammer. Don't try to hit it from the back to drive it off, hit it like you're trying to drive it on and it will jar loose.
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From: VA
I took the other drum off recently without having to hit it or even yank on it.
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From: VA
Got the wheel cylinder replaced yesterday afternoon. I had a time with that drum. It took a lot of hard beating and penetrating oil to get it to break loose. It was nasty in there from that wheel cylinder leaking... Luckily the wheel cylinder bolts and parking brake bolt weren't hard to get out. I was a little bit afraid of them being stuck in there since none of it had been worked on in a long time.
Might replace the wheel cylinder on the other side soon too since it's no newer. Just as preventative maintenance. It's only a $10 part. Or I may at least buy one so I have it with me if the old one goes.
Might replace the wheel cylinder on the other side soon too since it's no newer. Just as preventative maintenance. It's only a $10 part. Or I may at least buy one so I have it with me if the old one goes.
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From: VA
Yeah, that was pretty much my reasoning. It would probably last a few more years, but why take the chance if it's a $10 part. Only took 40 minutes from start to finish even with breaking the drum loose.
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From: VA
Other than the other wheel cylinder (currently working fine, no leaking) that I might replace, everything else is in good working order in the brake system. Feeling good about it now.
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