brakes for my 60 impala

I almost killed my wife the other day. I let her drive my 60 after it had been sitting for about 2yrs. It had no brakes!!! WOOPS!! I was so excited she wanted to drive it that I didn't even think about it.. So after she made it around the block without dieing I was thankful. I checked the master cylinder and it was aobut half low. I added brake fluid and there is still no pedal.. Can you take through a step by step process of fixing this? I know all my comonents were new and worked great last time I tried them.. I want to fix this so I can get it a valve job, lower it and drive it this summer...

Any help is appreciated..

Rick

 

Try bleeding the brakes. I would check for leaks first.

 

Well, you flunked rule number one. You never let anyone drive a car you have until you have checked it out and driven it around the block yourself.

I'd suggest rebuilding or replacing all of the wheel cylinders and master cylinder to start. Some will say bleed the brakes and go for it but I've been there and done that before and it doesn't always work out for the best.

 

Brake fluid will ruin rubber in the wheel cylinders if it sets for a long time without movement...check them all...then bleed them...check the Master Cylinder rubbers too, they'll go bad and your fluid will squeeze by...sometimes, rust will eat the internal bottom of the cylinder...then you'll have to replace that...

R-

 

Jeeze, if you put fluid in and there's no pedal, it has to be coming out somewhere, look under the car. Should be able to get anything that car needs for brakes through the discount chains. Might be a good time to convert it over to a dual chamber master, a lot of them will bolt right up and just make some new lines for it.

 

Thanks guys.. By the way newyorker, I love Michael Savage because he calls out all politicians and not just one side. I will bleed the breaks in the morning.. I think I will start there. Every component is fairly new and has been rebuilt...

 

not being a smart *** here but, i have a 59 and also a wife. hate to see you hurt either 1. do you know to start at the right rear, go to left rr, go to rt fr,and end with left front. again not trying to be a ***

 

You can still buy all the "ORIG" style brake componants from Rock Auto, reasonable prices and quick service. I just bought everything for my 60 about 4 months ago. good luck!!

 

See if you can tell where it's coming out of first. Down the back of the master, the brake line down the left frame rail, backs of the wheels are all good places to look.

Bob

 

OK stop guessing and do a complete brake check.

Pull all 4 drums and carefully check each wheel. Roll up the wheel cylinder dust boots and check for dampness. If any of them are damp on the inside of the dust boot, get all 4 wheel cylinders. If the linings are iffy just replace them. I always start a new project with a new or rebuilt M/cyl. I'm planning on keeping the car so it just makes sense. (to me anyway) Check the hoses for cracks and frays. Eyeball the steel lines looking closely for rusty spots. Replace anything that is iffy.

It's possible that you have a small leak somewhere in the system and the level got so low that air was introduced into the system. If it happened once, how lucky are you? I'd hate not knowing.

I have to be confident in my brakes for me let alone for a loved one. If something should happen after you have done a good complete brake job then you can not blame yourself for cutting corners.

 

Thanks again. I will check everything and start at the right rear..

rick

 

You wouldnt happen to know where i can get a back seat for a 59 convertible impala do you??

 

do googlesearch for jim wagner out of ohio. he gas aton of 59 parts...

 

What's the best way to do this myself?

 

Buy a manual for your car. Any repair manual should detail the brake bleeding process.
I greatly concur with adding a Dual pot master cyl.
Oh, I might also recommend a hand held vacuum bleeder unless you can talk your wife into working the pedal.

 

I have a manual, I'll use it thanks!!

 

bled the brakes with the help of some friends and there was a break in the rear line by the rear end. Replaced it, rebled the brakes and now I have brakes again...

 

ALso, I thought I needed an engine rebuild but it turns out it was a bent lifter.. Now my 283 is purring!!!
Rick

 

Now all we need is a picture of the car

 

A "bent lifter"...??? Must have been a seriously weak one to bend, I've never seen one bend...surely you must mean a bent valve...or a busted lifter...or a broken rocker arm, or a bent push rod...???

Glad to hear you've solved the brake issue...and whatever it is that was "bent"...!!!

R-

 

I will nearly gaurantee you that the wheel cylinder rubbers are cracked from sitting that long and will proly start leaking soon enough after sum use.If i were you i would rebuild all of the wheel cylinders as was mentioned earlier .You can buy the kits for like $5.00 per wheel .Hone them out,replace the rubber seals and spring ,and they are as good as new ,but alot cheaper than buying rebuilt ones.I have done it many times on early wheel cylinders.O'reilleys had them in stock a few years back when i had my 60 .If you just rebuild one you will chase the leak around the car (dont ask me how i know) .As far as the master goes you can use one from a mid 60's Chevy pickup on a 60 car (whcih is usually in stock and alot cheaper than one for a 60 car).It will bolt right up .I know cuz i have done it.As cheap as it is to rebuild what you have i wouldnt take a chance on brakes ...

 

like you say just to be sure

 

push rod right,, sorry... Pix of my 60 are in my album.. It now has a white roof will add pix soon...