1978 F150 brake problem

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Feb 25, 2002 | 08:17 PM

f150lariat

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From: KS

1978 F150 brake problem

The brake pedal on my son's 78 F150 doesn't come back up after stepping on the brakes. You can pull the pedal up with your foot but it won't come back up by itself.

The truck has power brakes but I didn't think it would be the booster since I can pull the pedal back up with my foot.

Could the master cylinder or possibly broken springs in the rear drum brakes cause a problem like this?

Thanks

Feb 25, 2002 | 08:23 PM

Vampiro

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From: Canada

1978 F150 brake problem

master cylinder, a fluid leak somewhere. check all lines and check/fix master cylinder

Feb 25, 2002 | 08:29 PM

f150lariat

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From: KS

1978 F150 brake problem

Thanks, I forgot to mention that we already checked for leaks. It has a firm pedal. It just won't return to it's normal position. once you apply the brakes they are on firmly until you pull the pedal up.

Feb 25, 2002 | 08:59 PM

Mil1ion

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1978 F150 brake problem

How well are the rear brakes adjusted ?
How long has the truck been sitting without use?

Jack the truck up so the wheels are off the ground.
The whole truck preferably at the same time.
So they can all be checked at the same time without relaeasing the pedal.

I suspect NO Back Pressure from the hydralics point of view from Stuck Pistons in the W.C.'s or the Calipers.

Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg

Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"

78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon

Feb 25, 2002 | 09:19 PM

f150lariat

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From: KS

1978 F150 brake problem

Dennis,

The truck only gets driven a couple of times a month. I replaced all the brake lines about 2 years ago before I gave the truck to my son.

I do not know how well the rear brakes are adjusted. He did mention that he put the emergency brake on a few months ago and the cables were rusty so the emergency brakes were stuck on after that. He had to work to get the cables loose in order to drive the vehicle. He hasn't been using the emergency brake since.

It could be that there is no back pressure in the system. However, I thought that the master cylinder would push the pedal up itself. When I have bench bled them they have always pushed back to the normal position. I guess they would have a vacuum effect when they were installed in brake system with stuck cylinders.

Thanks for your input,

Daryl

Feb 25, 2002 | 09:53 PM

Mil1ion

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1978 F150 brake problem

Moisture gets into the system without constant use.

Remember the old saying " Use it or lose it"?

Well it has happened to me before too.

Dennis https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1733&.jpg

Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"

78 F-150 429CJ,Silver
w/Explorer Pkge.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon