OOOP's What have i done now (BRAKES)

[bbobb]

I recently installed a 4/6 drop that included the drop spindles, springs and shocks. I also relocated the shocks with the brackets in the kit. While I had her torn apart I went on ahead and installed a brake boost seeing how I had disk brakes on the front. The booster is where it gets ugly. When I hit the brakes she pulls real hard to the left when I pump them they get real hard and then after a pump or two they get to pumping and settling like power brakes normally do. What have I done wrong and what do I do to correct this. Thanks upfront for any and all help

[lolife99]

Did you install new brake hoses?
My guess is the right brake hose is collapsed and sending all the fluid to the left caliper.

[sprint_9]

Did you bleed the brakes after you did all this work, each corner?

[bbobb]

Yes sir I did. Twice.

[bbobb]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Did you install new brake hoses?
My guess is the right brake hose is collapsed and sending all the fluid to the left caliper.

Installing new hoses this morning. Guess we will see

[snipescastle2]

Make sure your booster push rod is adjusted correctly to the master cylinder, you maybe have it too long, keeping the plunger partially depressed, see if you have any free play in the pedal, too much- adjust longer, too little or none at all, shorten the length.
Ben

[geezer#99]

Did you change your pedal ratio?
Need 4.5 to 1 for power.
Non-power is 6 to 1.

[cdowns]

did you read the factory service manual to do it correctly or do you know more than gm as far as serviceing your brakes

[MikeB]

If the truck is pulling to the left under braking, and pumping the pedal helps, my guess is your problem is air in the right front circuit.

Did you use your old calipers? If not, are you sure the new calipers are installed with bleeder screws on the top?

By the way, did you use the old manual master cylinder, or get a kit with a booster including master cylinder with larger piston? Some manual brake trucks used an M/C with 15/16" or 1" bore, whereas power brakes typically use 1-1/8". The smaller bore in conjunction with a booster (assuming good engine vacuum) can make for very "touchy" brakes.

[68 Stepper]

Originally Posted by cdowns

did you read the factory service manual to do it correctly or do you know more than gm as far as serviceing your brakes

Factory service what???

Seriously, I hope you get it fix, I don't want to see any photos of a wrecked truck! Much less lose a member to bad brakes, I picked up a Hynes service manual when I did my front brakes and suspension. It never never seems to have the details I'm looking for.

Interested to hear if the new hose helped.

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by 68 Stepper

Factory service what???

Seriously, I hope you get it fix, I don't want to see any photos of a wrecked truck! Much less lose a member to bad brakes, I picked up a Hynes service manual when I did my front brakes and suspension. It never never seems to have the details I'm looking for.

Interested to hear if the new hose helped.

gm factory service manuals have the all the details that Haynes and chiltons don't include for the home handymen

[jocko]

Originally Posted by cdowns

did you read the factory service manual to do it correctly or do you know more than gm as far as serviceing your brakes

Yes, the factory service manuals are wonderful references for performing maintenance on one's truck - like how to properly bleed the brake system, etc. They do not, however, cover what might have gone wrong after a drum to disk conversion on a 69, whether or not new length brake hoses are required on a 4/6 drop, shock relocation, or considerations one must make when adding a brake booster to a non-power system - thus the reason bbobb came to the forum to ask the experts. If our "experts" keep telling our somewhat more junior members to just go read the manual (i.e. to stop wasting "our" time with what you imply is a mundane question), we won't have many members left. The sarcasm (toward someone with around 90 posts, from someone with over 20k) is pretty childish.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by jocko

If our "experts" keep telling our somewhat more junior members to just go read the manual (i.e. to stop wasting "our" time with what you imply is a mundane question), we won't have many members left. The sarcasm (toward someone with around 90 posts, from someone with over 20k) is pretty childish.

Very well said, but I don't think cdown's intent was to scold the OP for not using a factory service manual. But, hey, I've seen forums where a user gets scolded by an admin for asking a question without searching the entire forum first. Loads of fun, that one, with lots of idea sharing

So, bbobb, what's the latest?

[jocko]

I've seen sites like that too Mike - and that's kind of my point, it's why they are below average and nobody sticks around. This hasn't been that kind of place in my experience (with the exception of posts like that - and if it were the only one, we wouldn't even be talking about this - but it was far from the first such post). Anyway - enough hijacking of this otherwise good thread - sorry bbobb and keep asking questions.

[bbobb]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Very well said, but I don't think cdown's intent was to scold the OP for not using a factory service manual. But, hey, I've seen forums where a user gets scolded by an admin for asking a question without searching the entire forum first. Loads of fun, that one, with lots of idea sharing

So, bbobb, what's the latest?

Sorry for the delay folks got called in for a double shift very little sleep in the last 48 hours. Was not able to replace the lines but we'll be doing it first thing in the morning I have read every post here and you have my word I will follow up on every one of them and I did get the manual I'll clue it back in around noon tomorrow Texas time. Again thank you very much for helping this old boy out

[bbobb]

I replaced all three of the lower rubber brake lines and she is stopping on a dime now. I really would like to thank all that replied and make no mistake I will copy this post for future reference . And to the smart ass that replied, yes I do own the proper manuals in which I often refer back to and have NEVER thought of myself as being smarter the GM and you have a great day sir. Thanks again folks...

[68 Stepper]

Great news, glad to hear you are back on the road!

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by jocko

Yes, the factory service manuals are wonderful references for performing maintenance on one's truck - like how to properly bleed the brake system, etc. They do not, however, cover what might have gone wrong after a drum to disk conversion on a 69, whether or not new length brake hoses are required on a 4/6 drop, shock relocation, or considerations one must make when adding a brake booster to a non-power system - thus the reason bbobb came to the forum to ask the experts. If our "experts" keep telling our somewhat more junior members to just go read the manual (i.e. to stop wasting "our" time with what you imply is a mundane question), we won't have many members left. The sarcasm (toward someone with around 90 posts, from someone with over 20k) is pretty childish.

Well said!

Some of the older board guy's need to remember they had to start somewhere to. This board is great and it's been very good to me over the past 30 some years. I still learn stuff today that I didn't know about these trucks and I thank the ones who do know more about them than me.
It would have taken the same amount of time to post a productive post as it did to post his sarcastic post.

[bbobb]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Well said!

Some of the older board guy's need to remember they had to start somewhere to. This board is great and it's been very good to me over the past 30 some years. I still learn stuff today that I didn't know about these trucks and I thank the ones who do know more about them than me.
It would have taken the same amount of time to post a productive post as it did to post his sarcastic post.

Thank you very much for the reply. As a matter of fact I've been building over run for 30 years. But I am not ashamed or afraid to ask for any help or knowledge I do get that from this board and I am very appreciative of it. You guys have a great day