Brakes

RBBailey

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2004
6,758
3
Oregon
www.flickr.com
OK, a while back I went through a cylinder replacement, got the brakes adjusted like they've never been before -- great!

But over the last week and a half (three drives) the pedal has faded..... Now it goes nearly to the floor with even, but very light pressure all the way down. The brakes are all adjusted fine. No leaks that I can see. No loss of fluid. The brakes engage, but there is not enough pressure to drive safely -- unless it was 1:00 a.m. and all the traffic lights were green.
 

bmohan55

Well-known member
Apr 7, 2008
324
0
Chester, VA
Happened to me (what hasn't!) and found one of the rubber flex lines in front was expanding like a balloon. Replaced all rubber lines and that fixed it until master cylinder went, then wheel cylinders, then pads...
 

apg

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2004
3,019
0
East Virginia
Ditto on the ballooning of the brake lines...especially if you don't seem to be losing fluid. This usually happens to the clutch - which is all hard line except for the flex line hidden way down behind the engine in a most-inaccessible place.

As a check, clamp off the flex lines one at a time. (Slip some short lengths of schedule 40 1/4" iron pipe over needle-nosed vice grips to make a non-damaging clamp.) If you find a hard pedal after clamping off one (or more) wheels, you have found the culprit.

...and if the pedal is still soft after clamping off all three flex lines - it's the master.

Cheers
 

RBBailey

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2004
6,758
3
Oregon
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OK, I just checked the lines.

One of the lines is 'new' rubber, I think the previous owner may have put it on. The other two are old, but not leaking.

I have not been able to properly clamp them so as to really test that way. But I did note that while they did not blow up like balloons, the old lines did 'flex'. And while I could not see them expand, if I put my hand on it, I could feel it 'expand' when the pedal was pushed. The new brake line does not do this...

Which means... errrr... not sure.

I suppose it means I should probably get new brake lines, but it doesn't seem to suggest (with certainty) that the lines are the real problem.

Confirmed? Plausible? Improbable?
 

jeepfiend

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
110
0
Southeast Idaho
I have found these to be more effective than the vise grip option. While the pipes on the vise grips work, these work better. They are available for a few bucks at a place like harbor freight, or even Napa for $15-20.

pinch pliers.JPG
 

RBBailey

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2004
6,758
3
Oregon
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Thanks.

I was going to replace the IIa master with a III master to get a dual system, but I was digging through my box of parts and found a new, in the box, IIa master cylinder, so that made the decision for me.

Getting new flex lines: I want longer than the standard lines -- where do I get them? Are the lines something I can pick up at NAPA? Or must I order from Rovers North?
 

jeepfiend

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
110
0
Southeast Idaho
You will have to order the lines. The Brits used a deeper fitting, and any American hoses will not properly seat in the hard line fittings. Last time I asked for a Series part at the parts house, I was greeted with blank stares and the sounds of crickets in the background, followed by "you mean Land Cruiser, right?"...... The flex lines aren't a lot of money, and the Allmakes lines carried by British Pacific are good kit. It will take a re-bleed, but it's worth it to replace all three flex lines while you are doing it. With a complete manual brake system, I don't think it's worth the coin for the braided stainless... Your call, but I'd save my shekels and go with the rubber lines. FWIW, I have Rocky Mountain Parabolics and normal length lines and have not seen any issues with hoses stretched too far. If you can find an extended line, it might be worth a shot. The standard hoses are about $10 each, so not too bad at all...
 

RBBailey

Well-known member
Jul 26, 2004
6,758
3
Oregon
www.flickr.com
I went with rubber hoses because I found the new master cylinder in my box of parts, keeping it stock for now. Just as you said, it would be worth the cash if I was upgrading, but I'm not.

When I get into a dual system, I will also want to go to disc brakes. But I'm going to get things fixed and working well again and focus on the refurbishment of the bulkhead and electrical system for now. As long as the brakes are safe, I'm good.