I don't see how it could, I'd think that it would be held in place firmly between the pedal and the m/c. I bought a Summit universal Vette style m/c for my T-bucket. It does not come with a pushrod and the one I want to use has no way of holding it in the m/c. Will I be ok? I've noticed that some pushrods do have a means of firmly holding them in the m/c piston's bore, but don't see why it's necessary. I figured I should check into this since it's a safety concern.
If there isn't at least an inch of the push rod sticking into the hole in the back of the piston the push rod sure could fall out. People have died from using a master cylinder with only a quarter inch divot in the piston meant to be mounted to a power brake booster instead of the correct one made for use with manual brakes. Better that you asked before eating a tree.
On my T Bucket, if I pull the brake pedal towards me (opposite of normal operation), the rod comes forward enough that I rigged up a stop. Just in case. Never the less, I HOPE the rod doesn't come all the way out.
Some push rods have a groove cut on the mc end where a spring retainer goes.I had a 80 dodge pickup that used a rubber retainer on the mc push rod. I am talking about manual brake mc. most all power boosted masters I have seen have no way of securing a push rod. This is INCREDABLY IMPORTANT ! When they fall out you or somebody around you may die! I have seen what happens When the push rad falls out.
The Summit universal Vette style m/c has a insert (Rod) in the end of the M/C that is used when using a power brake booster, for manual brakes take the insert out and the brake rod will be recesed into the M/C about an inch.
for manual brakes they use a adjustable pushrod with a lock nut , you adjust it till you get a little pressure against the piston ( just barely move it ) and the pedal pulled against the return bumpstop , the biggest mistake is not pulling the pedal back against the bumpstop ,when doing this. Powerbrakes the rod is locked in place as it needs to support the weight of it and keep it aligned so the valves seal right in the booster.
Look at the bright side of things....if the rod falls out, you wont have to worry about your friends saying..."I think I saw your brake rod fall out"....when the EMT's are pulling you out of your car, you'll know instantly what caused it to run through the intersection....YOU ALWAYS NEED TO LOOK AT THE POSITIVE AND HUMOROUS SIDE OF THINGS.....besides, if you live through the accident, just think of the stories you can laugh about while sitting around with your Buddies........Life is Good.
Oh...I almost forgot...yes it needs the little clip that pops into the piston part of the master cylinder.
oh and do not forget the clip that hold the rod to the pedal either , cost my buddy some time having to refinish the nose of his O/T 73 firebird when the rod came off and he used a dock bollard to stop it .. 30 cent clip caused 3 K worth of damage
Every factory Chevrolet car I've ever owned had nothing holding the pushrod into the master, other than proper adjustment. I'd guess if your pushrod was far enough out of adjustment to allow it to drop out, you'd notice a pedal that was extremely low before that! Even with an inch of freeplay on the pedal, with the pedal ratio it wont be more than 1/4" play on the rod.
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