brake problems

[Art Bjornestad]

I put '48 brakes on my '31 truck and have had problems since. I first had very little brake and after adjusting the rod going into the master cylinder I finally had brakes. Now the problem is that when I first start driving the brakes are fine but after a few stops, the pedal loses its free play and the brakes start to drag. Help!

 

[bbrocksr]

You have adjusted the rod too long,It is not letting the piston return far enough to uncover the port in the bottom of the reservoir to let the fluid return.
Bill

 

[quickchange34]

Times two.

 

[Art Bjornestad]

If I make the rod just a little bit shorter, a quarter turn, I have no brakes.....the car glides to a stop. I have been adjusting the rod quite a few times and as soon as the rod j=gets to a certain length the brakes work but the pedal goes up after the few stors.

 

[gearhead1952]

Might need to adjust your shoes closer to the drums so that the wheel cylinders don't have to work as hard.

 

[Bob C]

What is the piston size of your master cylinder, maybe it's to small..

Bob

 

[bbrocksr]

If I make the rod just a little bit shorter, a quarter turn, I have no brakes.....the car glides to a stop. I have been adjusting the rod quite a few times and as soon as the rod j=gets to a certain length the brakes work but the pedal goes up after the few stors.

You need to find the the problem, Probably bleeding and adjusting correctly at the wheels will solve it. The pushrod adjustment is only to position the piston in relation to the port in the master cylinder.
Bill