2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Mushy brakes.... collapsed vacuum line

[CStansbury]

I have been trying to figure out why the pedal on my '95 seems soft and why it doesn't stop like I think it should. I went from a 3rd gen to 2nd gen so I knew the brakes would be a little different, but these have actually scared me a couple of times. I tried backing up and applying brakes to see if maybe the drums were out of adjustment, but that didn't help at all. I checked the master cylinder and it was full to spec. Then I followed the vacuum line from the booster to the pump and discovered that right where it exits the pump, the hose had completely collapsed and sucked together in the middle . I pulled the vacuum line off of the cruise and felt some suction so it is still getting past, but I am guessing it is greatly reduced. I need to pick up a vacuum gauge and see what it is pulling.



Question is, can this large diameter vacuum line be found at the local parts house or is it a dealer or Cummins only item? Thanks guys!

 

[moparguy]

Couple of thoughts, I don't remember the size, but the vacuum line is not a standard Napa stocked size (at lease at my local store).



Second, the best upgrade you can make to your brakes (assuming they are up to stuff for a 95) is to install rear wheel cylinders for a Chevrolet 1 ton. The larger cyl. is a direct bolt on and really makes a difference.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146880



It's also likely your rears are in need of adjustment since the auto adjustors don't really. I always adjust mine a few clicks when I do a oil change. If the rear axel seals are leaking, oil can get on the shoes and wreck havoc as well.



Good luck, RR

 

[Nate]

I wish I had known about the brake cylinders before I did my brakes. I put new Dodge ones in.

 

[JFaughn]

Any sighn of oil in the vacume hose ?
It may not be the right hose , needs to be stiff to keep from collapsing under vacume , and the brakes need some volume of vacume.

 

[CStansbury]

No the inside of the hose looked dry, but the outside was greasy. I haven't had any trouble with cruise or anything else which don't require as much volume.



I guess I'll go to the local dealer and see about a hose on Monday unless someone knows of another source. After that, I'll manually adjust the rears and bleed the system clean.

 

[CStansbury]

Well, went to the dealer this morning and they couldn't find the hose anywhere in the diagrams. There was one listed that wasn't pictured, but it didn't give any specs such as size or length.



Does anyone have a P/N for the pump to booster hose or if you have found it at a parts house please let me know? Thanks!

 

[Joe G.]

Why not just order the one in the dealer's book? If it's the wrong one reject it. The hose is kind of odd anyway. The ID is bigger on the vacuum pump end.

 

[CStansbury]

Well, now we are getting somewhere! I did order the hose from the dealer and it turned out to be the right one. On the the 94-96 trucks there is a vacuum hose that runs in between the pump and the booster. The hose is split in two and there is a "T" in the middle that feeds a much smaller line. The booster end and the pump end are a larger size while it necka down to the "T", weird.



Anyways, if you order this: p/n 52008111-AB, it will come with one half of the hose (technically, the pump half is 0. 5" longer) with 2 clamps attached to it. I yanked the old one off after twisting the rusty clamps in two and put the new one in place. I immediately took it for a drive and for the first time felt the shoes hit the inside of the drums, yikes.



Then I climbed underneath and adjusted the shoes. The driver's side turned about 40 clicks before making contact The passenger side is froze up. I'll be pulling the drums off this weekend to inspect everything and free up the passenger side.



Even with only three brakes working well, it made a remarkable difference. Nice to have a parking brake again too. :-laf

 

[DJWyckoff]

soo sorry to reply late but this stilll could help I also felt that the main vac line could be colapsing however, when I called napa they said they would look and see if there was a thicker wall hose and they came up with one the hose is diffent sized. the pump size is what I got. but its a hose the I had trouble fitting the hose over the booster cheak valve but with an inner chanfer via pocket knife the task was compleated wow what a differance!!!



good luck