brake pedal is to the floor? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jott_06 · 06-06-2008, 07:03 AM

I've never had my truck on the road yet but ever since i bought it the brake pedal goes clear to the floor before the brakes grab. What would cause this. We've bled all of the brakes and it hasnt changed anything. The brakes work there just isnt much pedal. By the way it has four wheel drums. Should i just try to adjust them?

**truckdude239** · 06-06-2008, 07:13 AM

your drum,s are out of adjustment u need to adjust them till the are just draging when you spin the drum

68gmsee · 06-06-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckdude239

your drum,s are out of adjustment u need to adjust them till the are just draging when you spin the drum

That's the way I adjudt mine...

You didn't say power or non power brakes but you also need to check to see if the master cylinder is working properly. If it's the original, you may have a defective one and they're fairly cheap.

Some of these are dual stage ones. The first stage may be bad and you then have to depress the pedal further to use the second stage.

LONGHAIR · 06-06-2008, 11:07 AM

It may be in the drums, but it is also possible that the "freeplay" of the pedal is too loose. With vehicles this old, you never know who has been there before you...or what they have done. If the pedal has to move too far before any fluid is pushed out, adjusting the shoes won't cure the problem.
That is not to say that the shoes dont need some attention, they probably do. But if the master cylinder has been replaced, the pedal push rod may need to be adjusted.

Longhorn Man · 06-06-2008, 04:33 PM

pump the pedal;
if the pedal rises, hold it firm. 30 - 45 seconds with pressure. Not panic stop pressure, but good preasure.
If the pedal stays up, adjust the shoes.
If the pedal sinks eventually, bleed and retest.
If the pedal does not raise, but remains firm, then check the freeplay on the pedal. best way to do this is by pressing the pedal with your hand. If it feels like you are just pushing against a light spring, your freeplay needs adjusted. You'll want about 1/2 inch if memory serves. Too tight and your brakes will drag as the brake temps rise.

06-06-2008, 07:03 AM	#1
jott_06 Camaro Club Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 472	brake pedal is to the floor? I've never had my truck on the road yet but ever since i bought it the brake pedal goes clear to the floor before the brakes grab. What would cause this. We've bled all of the brakes and it hasnt changed anything. The brakes work there just isnt much pedal. By the way it has four wheel drums. Should i just try to adjust them?

06-06-2008, 07:13 AM	#2
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: brake pedal is to the floor? your drum,s are out of adjustment u need to adjust them till the are just draging when you spin the drum __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube Last edited by truckdude239; 06-06-2008 at 07:14 AM.

06-06-2008, 11:07 AM	#4
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: brake pedal is to the floor? It may be in the drums, but it is also possible that the "freeplay" of the pedal is too loose. With vehicles this old, you never know who has been there before you...or what they have done. If the pedal has to move too far before any fluid is pushed out, adjusting the shoes won't cure the problem. That is not to say that the shoes dont need some attention, they probably do. But if the master cylinder has been replaced, the pedal push rod may need to be adjusted.

06-06-2008, 04:33 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: brake pedal is to the floor? pump the pedal; if the pedal rises, hold it firm. 30 - 45 seconds with pressure. Not panic stop pressure, but good preasure. If the pedal stays up, adjust the shoes. If the pedal sinks eventually, bleed and retest. If the pedal does not raise, but remains firm, then check the freeplay on the pedal. best way to do this is by pressing the pedal with your hand. If it feels like you are just pushing against a light spring, your freeplay needs adjusted. You'll want about 1/2 inch if memory serves. Too tight and your brakes will drag as the brake temps rise.



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