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Parts in, ready to tackle brakes again

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drooartz

drooartz

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Got the last of my order in today, so I'm going to try to tackle replacing at least one of the front brake pipes tonight--it's leaking from a kink right at the 4-way union, caused by some overzealous attempts to remove the brake light switch a couple of weeks ago. I've got a set of the Moss copper/nickle pipes and a pipe bending tool. I'm less scared of brake work now, though I do have a healthy respect for the work still.

A question on brake pedal feel. The Tunebug is the first all-drum car I've driven. All I really have to compare it to is a modern car and my old TR4, which had front discs. It seems to stop fine, and I can lock the wheels up, but the pedal seems to have to travel farther than I expect before it starts doing something. It certainly doesn't feel as firm as the TR4 did. Not sure if this is the way it's supposed to be, or if I'm not quite getting it bled all the way.
 
Did you order new flex hoses? They can contribute to a soft pedal.
Does the pedal stay firm, or does it slowly sink when you keep your foot on it?
 
I didn't order new hoses, though I probably will at some point soon. Can't remember offhand if the pedal sinks with a foot on it. I'll have to check that once the known leak is fixed.
 
Once the pipe is replaced and the system bled, you should "test" it by pushing the brake pedal down to "firm" one time and note the pedal position. Then release it, count to ten ("One hippopotomus, two hippopotomi, etc.) and push it again and pump the pedal three or four times. If the pedal height "builds" (gets firm higher toward you each pump) you still have air in the system someplace. If it stops in the same position each pump, you're good. If it slowly goes lower with steady pressure you've either got a leak someplace or a bypass in the master cylinder. If it feels "spongy" on stopping you may have soft flex lines or a problem in one or more of the "ends" (i.e. wheel cylinders). Try it out and report back! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Thanks for the tips, Doc. I got the new pipe in, and it is not leaking. I took a short test drive, and did notice that I can pump it and it will build height a bit. I'm going to go out after dinner and try your tests. I'll report back when I have something...
 
Just tried the tests and here's what I found. I think I was imagining that the pedal was getting firm higher with pumps before. I did Doc's tests, and it seems to be holding firm at the same point each time. Pumping it didn't have any effect on the firm point. Did not sink to the floor either. Looks like I've got it in decent shape, for the time being.

I may move to the stainless flex hoses in the future, but I'm done messing with brake lines for the time being. Now it's time for the full round of fluid maintenance and engine tuning. More to learn!

Thanks all who gave me ideas and support while I messed with the brakes. I'm still respectful of the need to work carefully, but I'm no longer scared to work on them. Maybe there's hope for me after all!
 
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