Stock rear brake pedal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Coach529 · 01-28-2013, 10:31 PM

I am using the stock rear brake pedal on my 49 with an upgraded master cylinder, prop valve and disc brakes in the front.

I was sitting in "Henry" tonight and wondering why the damn brake pedal has to sit so far off the floor. It is about 9-1/2" off the floor. It sure would be alot easier to go between throttle and brake with the pedal closer to the floor.

Has anybody ever shortened the throw?

mr48chev · 01-28-2013, 11:01 PM

I've never really measured how high the pedal is off the floor but I've never had trouble reaching it.

Or are you talking about the park brake pedal?

solidaxel · 01-29-2013, 11:01 AM

I am sure you could shorten the arm IF you were running power brakes.
How much travel do you have under HARD braking.
Rear brake adjustment will make a big difference in brake travel, so keep them tight !!

Divine 59 · 01-29-2013, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Rear brake adjustment will make a big difference in brake travel, so keep them tight !!

Good to know for any year truck with stock brakes. Thanks.

OrrieG · 01-29-2013, 05:47 PM

OOps just noticed this was an AD question so following may not be of any value.....I am using my stock pedal with a 74 mc and booster under the floor. With the pedal tight against the firewall it is 8.5" from the inside of the firewall at the shaft hole to the center of the pedal foot surface. There will be about a 1/2" bump stop when I install the stock stop switch. So, you are right 9.5" is a little high. you should be able to reduce the length of the shaft from the arm to the booster or mc which will move the pedel closer to the floor. You will need to add a bump stop on the engine side so the pedal does not pull the shaft out of the mc or booster when it comes back up.

IndyBowtie · 01-29-2013, 07:00 PM

Yep, did exactly that. Stock pedals, under floor mounted MC with 7" booster. And pedal was too high. So I took a sawall to it, cut the stub off squarely and re-welded the pedal back to the shaft. Now it is even with the clutch pedal...much nicer. I figured since you are pushing against the pedal, which pushes against the shaft...it really wasn't a safety issue to cut and re weld.
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01-28-2013, 10:31 PM	#1
Coach529 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Post Falls, Idaho Posts: 1,757	Stock rear brake pedal I am using the stock rear brake pedal on my 49 with an upgraded master cylinder, prop valve and disc brakes in the front. I was sitting in "Henry" tonight and wondering why the damn brake pedal has to sit so far off the floor. It is about 9-1/2" off the floor. It sure would be alot easier to go between throttle and brake with the pedal closer to the floor. Has anybody ever shortened the throw? __________________ 1949 Chevy 3600 "Adventures of Henry" http://smu.gs/QOlhWY

01-28-2013, 11:01 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,408	Re: Stock rear brake pedal I've never really measured how high the pedal is off the floor but I've never had trouble reaching it. Or are you talking about the park brake pedal? __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

01-29-2013, 11:01 AM	#3
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Stock rear brake pedal I am sure you could shorten the arm IF you were running power brakes. How much travel do you have under HARD braking. Rear brake adjustment will make a big difference in brake travel, so keep them tight !! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

01-29-2013, 05:47 PM	#5
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Stock rear brake pedal OOps just noticed this was an AD question so following may not be of any value.....I am using my stock pedal with a 74 mc and booster under the floor. With the pedal tight against the firewall it is 8.5" from the inside of the firewall at the shaft hole to the center of the pedal foot surface. There will be about a 1/2" bump stop when I install the stock stop switch. So, you are right 9.5" is a little high. you should be able to reduce the length of the shaft from the arm to the booster or mc which will move the pedel closer to the floor. You will need to add a bump stop on the engine side so the pedal does not pull the shaft out of the mc or booster when it comes back up. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

01-29-2013, 07:00 PM	#6
IndyBowtie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Greenwood Indiana Posts: 95	Re: Stock rear brake pedal Yep, did exactly that. Stock pedals, under floor mounted MC with 7" booster. And pedal was too high. So I took a sawall to it, cut the stub off squarely and re-welded the pedal back to the shaft. Now it is even with the clutch pedal...much nicer. I figured since you are pushing against the pedal, which pushes against the shaft...it really wasn't a safety issue to cut and re weld. Posted via Mobile Device



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