Brake questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bw4sale · 04-28-2009, 08:34 PM

Ok, my pedal travels a lot before there's resistance. When it hits, it's very hard. I pulled my cap off the MC and the front half was completely full, back was almost empty. I seem to remember it being this way before when I first got the truck about 2 years ago. I think I filled the back then and it hasn't really been driven since then. Do I have a leaky cylinder or something? I pulled the back drums just to inspect a little. The drums look good. The pads looked pretty new. One pad was more worn than the other on my passenger side. What does that mean? How do I inspect the wheel cylinders and the other inner parts? Overall it looked better than I thought it would. Thanks.

bw4sale · 04-29-2009, 07:42 AM

bump. Anyone?

rlm316 · 04-29-2009, 10:05 AM

Need more info on the truck, year, type of brakes and power/non power. Without the info, check the front brakes for a leak. Probably a wheel cylinder if drum type.

mvfd70 · 04-29-2009, 10:08 AM

Sounds like it could be leaky wheel cylinders on the rear brakes. If the shoes are new and the drums are still good, then I'd change the wheel cylinders on both sides. Then bleed the brakes real good. Start with the simple stuff and work up from there. Also while you're under the truck, inspect the rubber brake hoses. If they look old, cracked, and/or stretched I would replace them as well. Have someone push on the brake while you look at the hoses and see if they stretch. You can also see if you see any fluid leaking anywhere while you do that. Couple cans of brake cleaner would be a good idea too.

mvfd70 · 04-29-2009, 10:10 AM

Oops. What rlm said too. I was assuming that you have disc brakes on front.

haysonj · 04-29-2009, 10:16 AM

If its a wheel cylinder leaking that much fluid you would be able to see it running down the inside of backing plate. Might want to check all the fittings and hoses.

bw4sale · 04-29-2009, 10:30 AM

Thanks guys. It's a '68 non power with drums all the way around, but I've got the stuff to convert to power and I'm hoping to go to disk up front soon as well. I think I'll go ahead and replace the rear cylinders anyway and inspect all the hoses.

04-28-2009, 08:34 PM	#1
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Brake questions Ok, my pedal travels a lot before there's resistance. When it hits, it's very hard. I pulled my cap off the MC and the front half was completely full, back was almost empty. I seem to remember it being this way before when I first got the truck about 2 years ago. I think I filled the back then and it hasn't really been driven since then. Do I have a leaky cylinder or something? I pulled the back drums just to inspect a little. The drums look good. The pads looked pretty new. One pad was more worn than the other on my passenger side. What does that mean? How do I inspect the wheel cylinders and the other inner parts? Overall it looked better than I thought it would. Thanks. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

04-29-2009, 07:42 AM	#2
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Brake questions bump. Anyone? __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

04-29-2009, 10:05 AM	#3
rlm316 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Woodstown, NJ Posts: 669	Re: Brake questions Need more info on the truck, year, type of brakes and power/non power. Without the info, check the front brakes for a leak. Probably a wheel cylinder if drum type.

04-29-2009, 10:08 AM	#4
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Brake questions Sounds like it could be leaky wheel cylinders on the rear brakes. If the shoes are new and the drums are still good, then I'd change the wheel cylinders on both sides. Then bleed the brakes real good. Start with the simple stuff and work up from there. Also while you're under the truck, inspect the rubber brake hoses. If they look old, cracked, and/or stretched I would replace them as well. Have someone push on the brake while you look at the hoses and see if they stretch. You can also see if you see any fluid leaking anywhere while you do that. Couple cans of brake cleaner would be a good idea too. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

04-29-2009, 10:10 AM	#5
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Brake questions Oops. What rlm said too. I was assuming that you have disc brakes on front. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

04-29-2009, 10:16 AM	#6
haysonj Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Santa Maria, Ca. Posts: 1,423	Re: Brake questions If its a wheel cylinder leaking that much fluid you would be able to see it running down the inside of backing plate. Might want to check all the fittings and hoses. __________________ 69 Chevy 4x4 383 Power

04-29-2009, 10:30 AM	#7
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Brake questions Thanks guys. It's a '68 non power with drums all the way around, but I've got the stuff to convert to power and I'm hoping to go to disk up front soon as well. I think I'll go ahead and replace the rear cylinders anyway and inspect all the hoses. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

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