The Ford Barn

LP · 06-28-2016, 07:10 PM

Just replaced master cylinder ,wheel cylinders ,and hoses on my 53 Customline V8.
The master and the cylinders are made by Dorman. In an earlier post I was having leaking issues but have that under control. Thanks to all who replied.
When trying to bleed the brakes I could never get the pedal to pump up more than an inch from the floor. The brakes grab but not until they go all the way down. I looked under the dash and it appears that the push rod does not make contact with the master cylinder right away. it seems to travel about an inch before making contact although I did not measure the exact distance.
Also the brake hoses are really close to the kingpin and on the driver side it rubs slightly.
Any help would be appreciated
LP

19Fordy · 06-28-2016, 07:19 PM

Please post photos. The person who did the previous work may have done a very poor job with incorrect parts.

Barlea · 06-28-2016, 09:06 PM

Front wheel cylinders may be on the wrong side.

petehoovie · 06-28-2016, 09:59 PM

DOT 3 or DOT 5 fluid???

Robz51 · 06-29-2016, 09:03 AM

I had terrible experience with DOT5 fluid. My brakes cylinders leaked and one drum locked up and the brake light switch went crazy before it failed. Problem is you have to replace all cylinders and flush the system to get it out.
Rob

LP · 06-29-2016, 04:39 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I thought about that ... Ill try it soon. I know I put the correct one on according to the part number though. Thanks

LP · 06-29-2016, 04:40 PM

I'm pretty sure it is Dot 3 fluid

LP · 06-29-2016, 04:43 PM

I was still wondering about the travel in the brake rod though. I'll work on some of the suggestions soon Thanks to all LP

V8 Bob · 06-29-2016, 05:46 PM

The (manual) system push rod normally is retained by a clip in the master cylinder piston, or the brake pedal has a return stop to keep the clearance around 1/16". Something on your car is not right, to have very excessive push rod clearance.

Big Red 51 · 06-30-2016, 07:55 AM

LP, I had the gap problem of about one inch and found that the M/C push rod plastic cap ( B5A-2142) was not on the MC end of the brake push rod. Fixed the problem. Got mine at C&G for $7.
Don

Planojc · 06-30-2016, 09:04 AM

adjust the shoes on each wheel with a brake spoon until you start to feel a drag. The adjustment opening is on the back side of the backing plate at the bottom. This will bring your pedal up.

59ab · 07-01-2016, 11:20 PM

I have owned 3 53 Fords. The rod that pushes the master cilinder is bolted to the brake petal. The head of the bolt has a shoulder that is off set from the rest of the bolt. By turning the hex head of the bolt this off set acts like a cam and pushes the rod in or out.
I do not think it will move the rod an inch. May be some one put the wrong rod on your car.
Hope this helps.
Eddie

06-28-2016, 07:10 PM	#1
LP Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 14	53 ford brake pedal Just replaced master cylinder ,wheel cylinders ,and hoses on my 53 Customline V8. The master and the cylinders are made by Dorman. In an earlier post I was having leaking issues but have that under control. Thanks to all who replied. When trying to bleed the brakes I could never get the pedal to pump up more than an inch from the floor. The brakes grab but not until they go all the way down. I looked under the dash and it appears that the push rod does not make contact with the master cylinder right away. it seems to travel about an inch before making contact although I did not measure the exact distance. Also the brake hoses are really close to the kingpin and on the driver side it rubs slightly. Any help would be appreciated LP

06-28-2016, 07:19 PM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: 53 ford brake pedal Please post photos. The person who did the previous work may have done a very poor job with incorrect parts.

06-28-2016, 09:06 PM	#3
Barlea Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Central Alberta Posts: 441	Re: 53 ford brake pedal Front wheel cylinders may be on the wrong side.

06-28-2016, 09:59 PM	#4
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,078	Re: 53 ford brake pedal DOT 3 or DOT 5 fluid??? __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

06-29-2016, 09:03 AM	#5
Robz51 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rogers, AR, USA Posts: 141	Re: 53 ford brake pedal I had terrible experience with DOT5 fluid. My brakes cylinders leaked and one drum locked up and the brake light switch went crazy before it failed. Problem is you have to replace all cylinders and flush the system to get it out. Rob

06-29-2016, 04:39 PM	#6
LP Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 14	Re: 53 ford brake pedal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I thought about that ... Ill try it soon. I know I put the correct one on according to the part number though. Thanks

06-29-2016, 04:40 PM	#7
LP Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 14	Re: 53 ford brake pedal I'm pretty sure it is Dot 3 fluid

06-29-2016, 04:43 PM	#8
LP Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 14	Re: 53 ford brake pedal I was still wondering about the travel in the brake rod though. I'll work on some of the suggestions soon Thanks to all LP

06-29-2016, 05:46 PM	#9
V8 Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granger (Northern) Indiana Posts: 1,520	Re: 53 ford brake pedal The (manual) system push rod normally is retained by a clip in the master cylinder piston, or the brake pedal has a return stop to keep the clearance around 1/16". Something on your car is not right, to have very excessive push rod clearance.

06-30-2016, 07:55 AM	#10
Big Red 51 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 131	Re: 53 ford brake pedal LP, I had the gap problem of about one inch and found that the M/C push rod plastic cap ( B5A-2142) was not on the MC end of the brake push rod. Fixed the problem. Got mine at C&G for $7. Don Last edited by Big Red 51; 06-30-2016 at 07:56 AM. Reason: Corrected part number

06-30-2016, 09:04 AM	#11
Planojc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 841	Re: 53 ford brake pedal adjust the shoes on each wheel with a brake spoon until you start to feel a drag. The adjustment opening is on the back side of the backing plate at the bottom. This will bring your pedal up.

07-01-2016, 11:20 PM	#12
59ab Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntsville,Alabama Posts: 247	Re: 53 ford brake pedal I have owned 3 53 Fords. The rod that pushes the master cilinder is bolted to the brake petal. The head of the bolt has a shoulder that is off set from the rest of the bolt. By turning the hex head of the bolt this off set acts like a cam and pushes the rod in or out. I do not think it will move the rod an inch. May be some one put the wrong rod on your car. Hope this helps. Eddie