Brakes and Gas questions...

[slategrove]

Question #1: I have the mastercylinder with brake booster set-up, and my brake pedal pushes almost to the floor before I feel the brakes touch (about a half inch from the floor)...thinking the brake shoes might be ready for replacement I checked, and they still have tons of wear left...mastercylinder is full of fluid...as soon as I can get someone to step on the brakes for me, I'll bleed them to make sure, but any suggestions other than that?

Question #2: The cab of the truck smells like gas and has since I filled it up yesterday morning...I mean I like a free buzz as much as the next guy, but this is pretty bad. I've looked all around the tank (behind the seat) and can't see anywhere where the tank maybe leaking...no wet spots, etc. Also thought it might be because I'm driving around with the window down, and the cap is 4 inches from the window, but it smells just as strong when the truck is parked and I sit in the passenger seat...what do you think?

Thanks,

[72chevyk10]

i dont know brakes much but id think you got a cracked/busted fuel line somewhere between the carb and tank. on my truck when i fist got it the rubber lines under the cab were barley holdin to gether. if i put my finger to it i could get gas to spill out. its a wonder i didnt blow up

[craig24671]

Might want to check the rod adjustment under the dash that goes from the pedal to the booster, might need to screw it out some if the brakes are bled and there are no leaks

[69halfton]

with the drums on over the brake shoes, how freely does it spin?

could be that your self-adjusting brakes are out of adjustment

if they are too far from the drum, it will take alot of pedel movment to make them contact the drum.

there should be a little resistence on properly adjusted brakes. without the wheel on the truck (just the drums) it should have a very minimal amount of "coasting" time from when you stop spinning it, until it actually stops.

let us know. check all the brakes, not just one. all it takes is one.

[Longhorn Man]

pump the brake pedal a few times
Does the pedal come up?
If no, then adjust the rod in the booster
If yes;
Does the pedal sink back down after holding firmly for a moment?
Yes? Bleed brakes
No? Adjust shoes

[slategrove]

Thanks Guys!!! Got the brake linkage adjusted, and feel much better about the whole thing...also, the previous owner told me he had just replaced the sending unit in the gas tank, but my gas gauge doesn't move so after crawling around following all my gas lines under the truck, looking for leaks, I'm wondering if the previous owner didn't get the gasket for the sending unit , didn't put it in right, etc...? Gonna try to pick one up this weekend and replace it anyway, until then...NO SMOKING n Gus!!!

[big mike71]

Longhorn man told me how to adjust my brake pedal in another thread he's the best. thanks longhorn.

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by slategrove

Thanks Guys!!! Got the brake linkage adjusted, and feel much better about the whole thing...also, the previous owner told me he had just replaced the sending unit in the gas tank, but my gas gauge doesn't move so after crawling around following all my gas lines under the truck, looking for leaks, I'm wondering if the previous owner didn't get the gasket for the sending unit , didn't put it in right, etc...? Gonna try to pick one up this weekend and replace it anyway, until then...NO SMOKING n Gus!!!

What year model? I don't remember when but think starting in 71 there was a rubber line that went up in the b-pillar on the passenger side. That may have dry-rotted and fumes could be coming from there.

[Boog]

Since the smell is stronger while sitting on the passenger side I agree it could be the vent hose in the b pillar.

[slategrove]

So after adjusting the linkage from the brake pedal yesterday, I realized last night when I let the dog out that my brake lights were on...popped the fuse out so I could wait 'till this morning...is this the brake light switch? When I unlugged the connection with the arrow, brake lights stayed on? I son't see anything else that could be the brake light switch...

[slategrove]

Originally Posted by 71tahoe

What year model? I don't remember when but think starting in 71 there was a rubber line that went up in the b-pillar on the passenger side. That may have dry-rotted and fumes could be coming from there.

It's a 67, and all I see is the line coming out of the tank (next to the sending unit which continues down through the floor and then under the cab to the front...checked all along this line yesterday, and doesn't appear to be leaking or releasing any fumes...it's the strongest inside the cab...gonna call Napa now to see if they have a gasket/sending unit.

[slategrove]

Originally Posted by slategrove

So after adjusting the linkage from the brake pedal yesterday, I realized last night when I let the dog out that my brake lights were on...popped the fuse out so I could wait 'till this morning...is this the brake light switch? When I unlugged the connection with the arrow, brake lights stayed on? I son't see anything else that could be the brake light switch...

Attachment 456131

I found the brake light switch, under the dash and got the lights squared away...sometimes I feel like a real idiot!!!

Thanks for putting up with me guys

[72chevyk10]

Originally Posted by slategrove

I found the brake light switch, under the dash and got the lights squared away...sometimes I feel like a real idiot!!!

Thanks for putting up with me guys

i did somthing simular i had brake lights on for like 2hours before i found it

[Longhorn Man]

you aren't an idiot, and no one is 'putting up' with you at all.
We all started somewhere. Some youn ger than others, some not till they retired from there job and discovered they were going nuts with nothing to burn up there free time on.
The only stupid question, is the one you don't ask.