Brakes hanging

[Marvin Gruber]

Took the BJ8 out for its first run since restoration. Brakes are hanging up. It has all new hoses, lines and seals. Caliphers rebuilt, booster rebuilt. Jacked it up as soon s I pulled in the garage. Both front wheels very tight and would barely turn by hand. After a couple of hours both wheels would turn. I figure its the booster not releaseing properly. What are any suggestions to trouble shoot booster or what can I do to the booster to fix. Car show this weekend.

Marvin

 

[GregW]

Hi Marvin,
I've read that light hammer tapping on the booster piston chamber can sometimes release the brakes. It would be safer not to tap along the side wall where the piston slides. Safer meaning not dinging the wall which would cause a binding problem. Good luck getting it done by the show.

 

[HEALEYJAG]

When I rebuilt my booster in the 80's the rubber solid tube that went beneath the leather flange was too tight causing it to stick and lock up the brakes.

After hours of trouble shooting I removed the rubber and it worked perfectly...no problems for the ten years I had the car.

Coincidently the next Austin Healey "Chatter" had an article about rebuilding boosters with a caption "throw this away" and showing a picture of the "rubber snake"

Pete

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Thanks Pete,

I will check on that. I did the rebuild several months ago so I don't remember anything about the rebuild. I was thinking this afernoon, I bled the brakes without the booster connected. Ii was wondering if that had anything to do with it but I will check on the hose first. have good pedel but thought I might still have air in booster.

marv