Need help 55 Ford brakes

[BRU]

I have a 55 Ford and brake pedal pushes so extremely hard, I have to reef on the pedal just to get medeocor brakes. Has new lines, checked the brake shoes, there all good, the drums are good but pedal is rock hard. I also have a 49 Ford and the pedal is not that way at all. I have never had a pedal push this hard on a Ford that I have owned. I really need your help before Spring gets here. Thanks for all your help.


P.S. Master cylinder is stock and I believe everything else is also. This is not a power brake system.

[Ole Don]

Part of the problem may be the material used in the shoes. The old stuff was better at slowing a car, but the people working with it usually died young. I would contact Master Power Brake and ask.

[scicala]

Does the car pull to one side when braking ?


Sal.

[dmsfrr]

Is the car new to you? Maybe the pivot bolt the pedal hangs on has a problem?
(previous owner replaced it with the wrong kind)

[BRU]

Sal, car does not pull one side or the other, was thinking about going to a 1and1/4 master cylinder, thinking the bigger bore would give more pressure.

P.S. Yes the car is new to me and the car is out of Arizona. I had a 55 Ford in the 60’s and it was a much softer pedal.

Thank you! Appreciate the help!

[V8 Bob]

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You need to find the problem. Going to a larger master bore will increase the pedal force, NOT reduce it. The fluid volume would increase, not the pressure.
First, make sure the pedal works like it should. Dis-connect the push rod and check for full travel without any binding or limitations. Look carefully under the dash for anything that could restrict pedal travel.
If the pedal checks out, the problem could be in a sticking master cylinder, or more commonly a wheel cylinder. Plugged or shot hoses could also be an issue, but don't normally restrict pressure, only retain it.

[Daves55Sedan]

The only time my '55 ever had a hard pedal was when one of those chain brake/muffler shops installed new shoes and adjusted the brakes shoes so tight to the drums, the car would sit still even on a steep incline.
I got about halfway home and realized that it5 was taking waaay more power than it should to get the car moving. Immediately backed off all the brake shoe adjustments when I got home and then it was good to go.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Daves55Sedan

The only time my '55 ever had a hard pedal was when one of those chain brake/muffler shops installed new shoes and adjusted the brakes shoes so tight to the drums, the car would sit still even on a steep incline.

That is referred to as ON-CAR LINING ARC-GRINDING...

[Grumpy Rick]

My first thought is that perhaps someone only adjusted the bottom adjustment on the drums, not being aware of the old fashioned top adjustment.

I had a T-bird that gave me fits a few years back, and once adjusted per the manual, worked fine.

[scicala]

"If the pedal checks out, the problem could be in a sticking master cylinder, or more commonly a wheel cylinder. Plugged or shot hoses could also be an issue, but don't normally restrict pressure, only retain it."




That's why asked if the car pulled left or right during braking. A stuck wheel cylinder would cause that. With no pulling, seems like a problem in the master cylinder might be possible.


Sal

[BRU]

Hi guys, How are ya today? I was unaware of there being an adjustment at the top of the backing plate or shoe. Does any one have a picture or know of a utube video a guy could look at? I appreciate your help! Have a great Ford day!


P.S. We had a couple inches of hail this morning and rain and cold wind in good old central Wisconsin. Suppose to have snow tonight and tomorrow.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by BRU

I was unaware of there being an adjustment at the top of the backing plate or shoe. Does any one have a picture or know of a utube video a guy could look at? I appreciate your help! Have a great Ford day!

There is only the star wheel adjuster the bottom of the shoes.

I think the poster is thinking of the old CHRY cam adjusters or MEDIUM TRUCK shoes.

How long did the car sit? Most likely the entire system is going to have to be gone through and the shoes replaced with QUALITY shoes, not the crap sold through PEP BOYS and others.

NOTE-

If the parts box contains a FORTUNE COOKIE, take it back.

[V8 Bob]

The 49-'53 Fords had an movable anchor that was a "major" adjustment, while the lower star wheel was "minor".
My information states an eccentric was used in '54-'55 on the front brakes only, (along with the star wheel) and requires a special adjustment. I am not familiar with these brakes or the adjustment procedures so the best thing for the OP is to find a'54-'55 service/shop manual, unless someone can provide the necessary info.
My '56 manual shows the Bendix brakes now have no eccentrics or movable anchors, so the '54-'55 brakes are somewhat unique.

[KULTULZ]

Where are you getting your info BOB?

The MPC makes no reference, only the anchor pin.

My interest didn't start until the 54 models and I have never come across that on a FORD of the period (1954-1957).

I have the older FORD SHOP MANUALS but I have to dig them out...

If it is there, I want to know. That is why I am here, to learn and not argue...

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by V8 Bob

The 49-'53 Fords had an movable anchor that was a "major" adjustment, while the lower star wheel was "minor".

My information states an eccentric was used in '54-'55 on the front brakes only, (along with the star wheel) and requires a special adjustment.

- WE HAVE A WINNER -

Both the 54 and 55 used an eccentric. Previous was adjustable anchor pin. There is a slight design difference (54) from the 55 also-

[Grumpy Rick]

1955 Ford Shop Manual; page 318, #3. General adjustment is on previous page.

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Look on my marathon blog thread or take a crack at hotrodreverend.com. The post there are all searchable by tags. There should be three adjustments, the star wheel, the eccentric, and the upper anchor pin which is also adjustable and slides up and down in the backing plate.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Reverend

Look on my marathon blog thread or take a crack at hotrodreverend.com. The post there are all searchable by tags. There should be three adjustments, the star wheel, the eccentric, and the upper anchor pin which is also adjustable and slides up and down in the backing plate.

Can you point directly to the info? Your website is a little flashy and confusing (to me).

[Hot Rod Reverend]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Can you point directly to the info? Your website is a little flashy and confusing (to me).

Not sure what you mean by flashy, but if you go to the home screen simply click on “55 Ford Blog” at the top of the page. When that page loads if you scroll down and look on the right you will see a very large list of words all alphabetized. Click on any word/subject you are interested in and the next page that all of the entries that include the word/subject about the work on my 55 Ford.

The website is powered by wix.com, do let me know if it could be made less confusing. It is one of their templates I am using.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Reverend

Not sure what you mean by flashy, but if you go to the home screen simply click on “55 Ford Blog” at the top of the page. When that page loads if you scroll down and look on the right you will see a very large list of words all alphabetized. Click on any word/subject you are interested in and the next page that all of the entries that include the word/subject about the work on my 55 Ford.

The website is powered by wix.com, do let me know if it could be made less confusing. It is one of their templates I am using.

Sorry I didn't get back to you REVEREND as I did not notice this post...