<VV> more brakes: question

[kenpepke at juno.com]

Yes Ray, the whole idea to the dual master cylinder is to insure you have brakes if there is a failure at one wheel or even a brake line.  Today you have learned that your system is not providing that assurance.  There is little hope it will fix itself so one must determine the problem.  Best way to check the MC is to use a pressure gauge, one port at a time.  Might as well test the one on the car first as it may save the trouble of changing it.  Once it is determined the MC is capable of providing pressure to the system a flexible line attaching the gauge to each wheel cylinder [one at a time] via the bleed screw will tell you if there is pressure there.  But, the brake shoes must be adjusted first.  Somewhere along the way you will find the answer.

The self adjusters are meant to maintain the brake pedal level while the shoes are wearing.  It is possible to adjust the brakes up by going in reverse and stepping on the brake.  You may be there, going back and forth, for quite a long time as they do not adjust more than one click at a time.  And then it can even depend on how much heat is in the drum.  Best to adjust them with the star wheel till quite snug then back them off 8 to10 notches on the star wheel.  It is necessary to insert as small screwdriver to push the adjusting arm away from the star wheel to back off the adjustment.  If the star wheel can be backed off without moving the adjuster something is wrong.

Professional brake mechanics feel the installation of brakes must done to the highest standards so.  Even today, brake shoes are ground to match the arc of the drum so the vehicle will have maximum stopping power from the first stop rather than having the shoes wear in over a period of time.  Quality brake shoes have a small amount of extra material which allows for a perfect match to the drum.  Sadly, not so many mechanics work to this standard today ... but, there are some.     

We all have bled the brakes with someone stepping on the pedal BUT, the best way is with an inexpensive pressure bleeder which flushes out the system and ALL the air.  Until this is done, one is never completely sure all the air has been evacuated.
Ken P

**************************************
"Ray \"Grymm\" Rodriguez" <vairguy at echoes.net> wrote:

Is there a way to test the MC to make sure it is working properly?  Once I 
get the replacement I'd like to test it and make sure it doesn't have the 
same problem.

Come to think of it, when bleeding the brakes one at a time shouldn't the 
pedal give some resistance rather then going ALL the way to the floor easily 
since half the system should still be working?

Ray R.


____________________________________________________________
Penny Stock Jumping 2000%
Sign up to the #1 voted penny stock newsletter for free today!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c66803d9779a6c313est03duc