Weak brakes on 30 Roadster Survivor

Just got back from having the brake system flushed and checked over, but the brakes are still weak. This rod was done over 50 years ago and is untouched. All four wheels are drum brakes and there's a 'wagner' master cylinder (pictures included) that looks like someone upgraded to try to deal with the problem. At this point, I can't stop quickly, and you have to step hard to slow down. Any thoughts or ideas?

 

Did u have the drums turned ,and check the brake lining ?

 

No I didn't. I think they just blew out the cobwebs. They did fix a small leak on one of the pistons by reaming it out and putting it back together. Thank you for your help.

 

Sorry, the brake pads themselves looked like there was lots of wear left, but they didn't turn the drums...

 

Check drums for thickness. ID should be no more than 12.030". That is .060 oversize.
Linings may be crystallized or glazed and thin if the drums are oversized too much.

It is foolish to blow out the cobwebs and ream out a cylinder and then go riding. 50 years of sitting does not make for safety in brakes under the best of cir***stances. You should rebuild or preferably replace with new all the wheel cylinders, master cylinder and especially the three hoses for the brakes. To be thorough a new set of steel lines wouldn't hurt a bit.

I value your life, that of your p***engers more since they are innocent, please value the life you have and that of those you may come into contact with on the rods.

 

Need to check the pedal ratio .
Some math and measuring.

Try to rebuild, repair what you have.
I doubt anything you get today will be of equal quality.
Try really hard not to disturb the "survivor " aspect . That's cool as hell

 

You really should go right through the brakes. you could have clogged lines or bad hoses. Skidmarks is right about frozen pistons in the wheel cylinders. Take the brakes apart and rebuild all the cylinders check the fluid flow from all the lines and sand down the shoes as they may have some oil on them. The car in front of you has much better brakes and even when you have good brakes they will stop a lot faster than your roadster.

 

replace the lines+hoses,and everything else,50 years is along time

 

Do it right,don't wreck the car because you don't know how or trying to avoid rebuilding the entire system.

50 year old rubber hoses are week and may be causing part of the problem.

Turn the drums and replace to brake shoes and wheel cylinders. HRP

 

Jeez,

I'm planning on replacing the lines and hoses and re-sealing the calipers on the girl I've been seeings OT 2002..... Because, IMO, that stuff is now too old to use.

And this thing was built over 50 years ago? REPLACE OR REBUILD EVERYTHING THAT GETS IN CONTACT WITH FLUID!!!!!!

 

+1000, Sierra Specialty can sleeve those old cylinders and the master for you in br***. Quick service, fair prices. Not affiliated, just a happy customer that had a bunch of old british cars that needed brakes.

http://www.brakecylinder.com/sleeve1.htm

Superior Friction in San Jose can reline your shoes with the good old stuff.

http://www.cylex-usa.com/company/superior-friction---superior-clutch-11180382.html

Good luck.

 

White Post is good too, but I'd stay away from Apple Hydraulics. If you send him your pistons, he'll buff them out too and they'll look like new.

 

Im glad someone actually picked up that roadster its pretty rad
I saw it on c.l. Seem'd like a great deal for what they were askin
For it. Congrats

 

Start from scratch right at the MC and replace or rebuild every component in the system. Only way to do it right, and that cool rod deserves the best, it is really super nice.

Don

 

Thanks for the reply. The rear/differential is an old ford I think.

 

Appreciate the advice. Looks like Sierra is retired - any other leads? Thanks again

 

Didn't consider oversized drums - thx
I'm definitely being cautious...

 

I'll check with the shop tomorrow to see if they adjusted them. Also, if they checked for seized cylinders. TY

 

A big thank-you for all the input!

 

Try White Post

 

Mine is the same as yours a fifties survivor 31A roadster and my brakes need rebuilding too they are hard too stop.



.......Sent from Ar

 

No, they're poor even if you really pressure hard on the petal...

 

You might be right about the ratio too - especially since the master cylinder was cheaply swapped out

 

Nice car! I sure like the look of these old lowboys.
Hmmm I'm wondering if they ever stopped good...

 

As someone mentioned earlier it could be that it never did stop very good

I would check the brake linings and the drums to see if the brakes shoes have gotten crystilized/glazed over which used to happen alot back in the day, this would make the brake pedal seem hard to push since you are really standing on the brakes to try and stop.

neat ole car and good luck

 

Thanks for your comments. I'm thinking more now that the master cylinder bore doesn't match as you suggested and don't think the wheel cylinders are sticking. I haven't figured out any more on the transmission to answer your question. Thanks again.

 

Wheel cylinders should be an easy find for a Ford. The fire wall on the roadster was not made for master cylinder and may be bowing from pressure of brake pedal . Also check that brakes are adjusted correctly.

 

Did you just pic this up? Ive seen it on clist. Nice looking car.

 

Killer Ride

 

Yeah, just bought it