macc Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 How do the stock power brakes supposed to feel and operate. I have a feeling my brakes aren't working quite the way they should. When driving I really have to put my foot into it to get the car to stop. The pedal goes about halfway down before I feel it start to work. A few weeks ago I adjusted all the shoes and blead the brakes because I had no pedal and air in the lines. One of the drums was a lil tight but after driving it a few times it worked itself out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Cannon Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 The power steering and power brakes on the '63 Riviera were classic GM luxury car of the time. A little old lady can steer the car with no effort and can stop that 4200 pound hulk with her little foot.Your brakes are not right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Brakes are nothing to be messed with. If you're not able to figure it out and work on them yourself, get the car to a certified mechanic ASAP. Take no chances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macc Posted February 27, 2014 Author Share Posted February 27, 2014 Brakes are nothing to be messed with. Take no chances. I agree 100% when it comes to steering and brakes I make sure everything is working right. Could the issue be the brake booster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnrex Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I agree 100% when it comes to steering and brakes I make sure everything is working right. Could the issue be the brake booster?I agree about the booster. Had the same problem but Booster Dewey solved it for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanZverina Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Do you have any brake assist at very low speeds? I have a new booster (put in by the previous owner) on my recently purchased '63, but I still lose assist at higher speeds. I replaced all the engine vacuum hoses, which needed to be done anyway, but have yet to properly diagnose the reason for lost assist. From reading some related threads on the forum, it may be hardened brake linings and not a booster problem at all. Please keep us posted and I'll do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macc Posted February 27, 2014 Author Share Posted February 27, 2014 I don't think I have any assist at all. Just a hard pedal. This is my first Rivi I have owned so I don't really know how the brakes are supposed to feel. I've put quite a few miles on the car in the past few weeks and the car stops just fine it just takes a lil leg muscle to do it. Do you have any brake assist at very low speeds? I have a new booster (put in by the previous owner) on my recently purchased '63, but I still lose assist at higher speeds. I replaced all the engine vacuum hoses, which needed to be done anyway, but have yet to properly diagnose the reason for lost assist. From reading some related threads on the forum, it may be hardened brake linings and not a booster problem at all. Please keep us posted and I'll do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hold the pedal down firmly and crank up the engine, if you are getting boost, the pedal wil drop another 1/2" or more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) How long has it been since the last complete brake job? If the shoes are decades old they won't have the flexibility to grip the drums.I see a lot of posts with misinformation on drum brakes. This old guy doesn't do a bad job describing self energizing brakes: It is a term I was family with years before US cars go disc brakes.In 1959 I bought a five volume set of Mcgraw-Hill mechanic's books. I read those and still have all but one I loaned out. They are less than 4 feet away from me now.If you own an old car you need to know the basics. This link is to my amazon store and at risk of promoting stuff for sale, the Stocktel book is great: http://www.carguygiftshop.com/ take the Amazon link and it is under Basic Mechanics Books.My wife does a lot of programs with Teen Readers and one High School boy got that book as an award in his senior year. He was overjoyed that adults could find such an award. I have over 50 years of experience and still like to curl up with a book on basics.Bernie Edited February 28, 2014 by 60FlatTop (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
63 Rivi Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Macc,Your brakes should engage very quickly and the pedal should not drop halfway down before stopping the car if everything is functioning properly. Since you already removed the air out of the lines and adjusted the brake linings, my next item to check would be to see if the booster is holding vacuum and if the M/C is functioning properly. Also, make sure the brake stop switch on the front of the master is in there good and tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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