Non Power Drum Brake Guru's Please

[RHARVEY]

We just bought our daughter a 1971 Nova with non power drum brakes. I knew that the brakes had issues before we bought it but now I need some advice on what to look for.

I bought a rebuilt master cylinder and her and I installed it last night. We went thru the bench bleeding like I always do and then once it was on the car I went to the passenger side rear wheel to start the pump 3 times and hold bleeding task.

Her and I went thru this a number of times on each wheel but the pedal still does not stiffen up. There seems to be no change in the pedal at all. .

Could it be that the rebuilt master cylinder is bad???? I bought this thing at Auto Zone so I am not to sure it was reuilt correctly. .



Any advice for the drum section



thanks

Rick

 

[JohnE]

First step, already mentioned, is to set each drum for noticeable drag.



I always go through the bleed step a couple times to get as much air from the system as possible. After that go back and have the helper pump and hold the brake then crack each cylinder quickly to purge the remaining air bubble.



Did you replace all the brake shoes, springs and wheel cylinders? Might have a bad wheel cylinder leaking.



Possible the rebuild master cylinder is bad. I don't buy rebuilt ones. If I cannot rebuild the old unit myself from pitting in the bore, I buy a new core and rebuild it.

 

[Philip]

I bought this thing at Auto Zone

Take it back and go to a better parts store. My rule is. If it is behind the auto zone parts counter. I do not want it.





Like Dl5treez asked. Have you checked to see if the shoes are adjusted up and have a slight drag on the drums. Excessive clearence will give you low pedal height and a bad feel.