need brake help
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New User
Joined: Feb 2001
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need brake help
I have a 1960 f-350 dualie and need help with the brakes. I could use any information you can give on checking these brakes. I think a brake may be holding up or is locked up. I have noticed that the brake pedal feels very stiff. It does feels like it does not move at all when pushed. The truck will stop, but it feels like it is under some kind of rest. at all times. It will not pick up speed very well (I understand it is not a vette also). I have stopped it on steep hills and let the clutch in to see if it will roll, but it hangs there like I have the brakes on. Now I know you are saying it is clear the brakes are holding, but when I looked at it and could not find anything wrong I took it to the only brake place here that would look at it and they say it is fine and that the truck is old and heavy and will not roll down hill (haHa), and that they all feel as if something is tied to the back end all the time. Then he says that he also does not work on the kind of braking system a lot now. Long story short I am going to have to work this one my sele and I need to know where to start. My brake knowledge is avg, but I am ready to learn.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
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From: Connecticut
need brake help
First thing to do is jack up each wheel one at a time and see if the wheels spin freely when you turn them. There should be only slight drag on the drum and shoes. Adjust the shoes so you get the proper drag. Have you pulled the drums to make sure all the brake hardware is ok and lubricated? Something to check also. Make sure all the wheel cyls are free, not gummed up. I would open the bleeder screws one at a time and bleed the brakes. Have someone help you on this. Check the master cyl to make sure it is ok, not plugged up or rusty. You should be able to push the clutch in on a incline and the truck should roll. One last thing.... Check the emergency brake to make sure it is not engaged. I don't remember if it has the internal one or it's on the back of the tranny.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,949
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
need brake help
If you feel one drum is dragging, drive it some distance and
see if one of the drums is significantly hotter than the others.
Ths best advice is this. Go through and rebuild the entire
system-then you have something you can rely on.
see if one of the drums is significantly hotter than the others.
Ths best advice is this. Go through and rebuild the entire
system-then you have something you can rely on.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2001
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need brake help
now I have just redone the entire brake system. The wheels will spin freely just fine, and there seems to be no hang up on the emer brake. I have brakes and the truck stops perfect, but it still will not roll very much and I still don't think something is correct. I kinda feel something in the drive may be holding up if that is poss. The brake pedal still does not travel far at all, maybe 1-2 inches at the most. Thanks for all the help you are giving me. I enjoy learning more on this truck and getting it set up. Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
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need brake help
Do the brakes smell hot after driving it? Or is the drum for the emergency brake hot after driving it? John
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need brake help
The brakes never smell while driving and none of the drums are real hot after I drive it. I bleed the brakes out again to make sure one more time after I replaced them and still no improvment. When I am driving I can get up to about 20mph and if I take my foot off the gas the truck slows down and will stop like the brakes are on, but I can not find any brake part locking up. Does anyone think something could be wrong in the drivetrain somewhere.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Feb 2001
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need brake help
yes the master has been replaced, but I would like a fast class on the rod adjustment if you could. Is it as easy as it looks or is there something I need to do that I do not know about. Thanks again for the help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
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need brake help
Ford has specific measurements for this but I usually just try to get it as tight as possible without hanging up the brakes find the adjuster on the rod some were under dash and some were behind master cyl. try backing off about 1/2 turn at a time this will let your brake pedal travel farther and should release any pressure on the brakes some master cyl. have different pistons in them so usually the measureing trick doesn't work it is trial and error from here remember a little at a time don't want to go to far then the pedal will go to the floor.
John
John
