Odd pedal travel

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by ATX, Apr 27, 2005.

  1. ATX

    ATX Guest

    I parked my 72 Skylark Custom a couple of months ago and it has hasn't been driven since. I started her up yesterday and when I stepped on the brake pedal, it went to the floor and felt springy/spongy. This is odd because when I parked the car the pedal pressure was just fine. I looked around for a leak, and couldn't find anything... what else should I check?

    FYI - The car has power drums all around.
     
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    I assume you checked the brake fluid level in the master? If its empty, I would pull all the drums off and inspect the wheel cylinders. Pull the boots back on the cylinders. Wheel cylinder leaks are easy to spot if they've been seeping awhile. Dirt collects where theyre leaking. Make sure it isnt wet behind the boots. While your there, make sure the cylinders arent frozen. take a screwdriver and try and move the little cylindrical rod that goes from the cylinder to the shoe. Also inspect the steel lines carefully. Especially the one that runs down the frame rail.
    If the master is full, try bleeding the system. If you cant get a pedal by bleeding, theres a chance the master could be leaking internally.
    Get into the habit of flushing out your brake fluid every year or two. Brake fluid is hydroscopic (it absorbs water). The water is heavier than the fluid so it starts to collect in the lowest part of the system- the wheel cylinders and calipers. Rust eventually starts to develop in the system and then the trouble starts!
    Flushing the fluid- I start by sucking out all the fluid in the master with a vacuum pump. Refill the master with fresh fluid from a sealed container. Start with the wheel furthest away from the master and work your way around the car. Make sure to check the master after each wheel to make sure you dont run dry.
     
  3. ATX

    ATX Guest

    If only I could work on my car at my condo complex... the Nazi grannies living there would get to me before I could pull a wheel off of it!
     
  4. Truzi

    Truzi Perpetual Student

    Whenever that happens to me its usually the master cylinder.
     

Share This Page