55PACKARD Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 Tonite i was driving my car to a cruise nite while in stop and go traffic i lost pedal feel it got pretty hard i mean my brake pedal is hard but today it seemed alot harder the ussual. In matter of fact when my friend stopped all of sudden in front of me i almost hit him.. Whats going on here i also smelt a weird smell like maybe brake shoes or maybe brake fluid..When driving back home it seemed alo better also the car was alot cooler on the ride..Any help would be great.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
52deluxe Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 could have been brake fade, first thing i would do is pull the car up on some ramps and inspect all the lines for leaks or a wet spot where it might be leaking. also check the fluid level and see if its low, also if your drums come off easy might be worth a peek to see what shape your shoes are in.just a thoughttom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PACKARD Posted May 7, 2004 Author Share Posted May 7, 2004 Thanks 52deluxe, It could have been fade i was in stop and go traffic for oh about an half an hour or so..And its not so easy to take a peek a my shoes im going to do a brake service soon in matter fact i was calling Kanters tomorrow to get brake shoes,4 wheel clynders,some new brake hose..and check the powerbooster and master too if in needs that im going to buy that too..Whatever it needs,it's always nice to have brakes.... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCraigH Posted May 7, 2004 Share Posted May 7, 2004 What you describe sounds like you lost vacuum boost. Constant application of the brake will "drain" the vacuum reservoir if it is not being replenished by engine vacuum. Check the vacuum lines from the engine to the reservoir to the BTV.Brake fade should never occur in stop & go, but rather after a very hard stop from freeway speeds.Low brake fluid level will cause the brake pedal to feel "spongy" or allow the pedal to go to the floor. Since you have a hard pedal, I suspect that your fluid level is OK, but check it anyway.Personally, I wouldn't get a rebuilt Bendix Treadle-Vac from anybody. If yours is working OK, don't mess with it. Of course, in my case (and a few other posters here), I replaced it with modern technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PACKARD Posted May 10, 2004 Author Share Posted May 10, 2004 Thanks B.H., I am going to have all the wheels pulled to check the whole brake system..I know for a fact the wheels are not adjusted properly they have alot of free wheel spin on the 2 front wheels.As far as being vacuum or hydraulic, i have a feeling its something to do with vacuum. The brakes seem to react fine for about 2 to 4 good stops and then the pedal gets pretty hard almost like a rock,now if i shut the car off and get back in it a few minutes/hours later the brakes work fine again until i stop a couple times ..So i will be checking the vacuum lines and etc i will let you know what i find toward the end of the week..Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted May 10, 2004 Share Posted May 10, 2004 Could be brake shoes adjusted to tight. Most likely its bad brake hoses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55PACKARD Posted May 10, 2004 Author Share Posted May 10, 2004 I ordered new hoses too, plus brake kits,shoes,wheel cylinders,etc..etc....I cant wait to get them done so i can go cruise it around again.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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