55 brake proiblem

F

Ford coupe

Senior Member
installed new master cylender per all instructions and now brake pedal dont come all the way up..i adjusted the push rod from mc to pedal all the way back and the pedal is about an inch from the top..I can lift the pedal up with my fingers but it just falls back down...Got about 3/4 pedal and brakes seem fine but fior this...Is there different push rod lengths? or could the piston in the MC not be coming all the way back..Stuimped.PS I dont beleive there is a spring attached to the pedal to bring it up is there>>
 
Yes, there is a return assist spring - PART NUMBER AB 2472-D
 

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  • BRAKE PEDAL & RELATED PARTS - 1957-59 FORD _1 - FORD MPC ILL 49-59.jpg
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  • BRAKE PEDAL & RELATED PARTS - 1957-59 FORD _2 - PEDL RETRACT SPRING - FORD MPC ILL 49-59.jpg
    BRAKE PEDAL & RELATED PARTS - 1957-59 FORD _2 - PEDL RETRACT SPRING - FORD MPC ILL 49-59.jpg
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I had my MC rebuilt by a well known restoring company. They installed the wrong piston which gave me about an inch of free travel. I had run out of options trying to diagnose my brakes so bought a rebuild kit. That is where I discovered their error.
 
After more investigation i find that the mc i removed that came with the car has a 1and1/8 bore which is not a 55 mc i dont beleive according to the manual...So the rod has probably been modified to fit the cylender..Now as for return spring i can not enlarge the picture enough to find it as there is no return spring on the pedal......I would not have the proper info to get a rebuild kit either so maybe an adjustable push rod..Your thoughts??? Thank k you much..
 
Ah so no return spring on mine but should have saw it when removing push rod...Have to check some more as just buffaload now...
 
After more investigation i find that the mc i removed that came with the car has a 1and1/8 bore which is not a 55 mc i dont beleive according to the manual...

So the rod has probably been modified to fit the cylender..Now as for return spring i can not enlarge the picture enough to find it as there is no return spring on the pedal...
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What is going on is the off-shore service parts are meant to fit more than one application and usually come with a new push-rod to compensate for differing applications.

1 1/8" bore is usually PB during this time period. Is you car manual or power brake (OEM)?

See if the below ILL shows the spring ...

It is not a return spring as much as an anti-rattle spring. It is on the pedal pivot shaft on the brake pedal.

Proper return is dictated by the spring in the MC and correct push-rod length.

You can buy an adjustable length push-rod if you want to fight it that way but having the original MC professionally rebuilt is the best way out.
 

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  • Screenshot 2024-08-08 at 09-49-26 BRAKE PEDAL & RELATED PARTS - 1957-59 FORD _1 - FORD MPC ILL 4.jpg
    Screenshot 2024-08-08 at 09-49-26 BRAKE PEDAL & RELATED PARTS - 1957-59 FORD _1 - FORD MPC ILL 4.jpg
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Found the zoom and no that spring is not there and brakes are manual...So get original one rebuilt or adjustable push rod and find this spring...Never know with these old girls..Thank you
 
Did you return the take-off for core charge?

Or better yet, can you post the vendor name and part number of the MC you bought? Was it new or rebuilt?
 
Supposedly new DormanM18000 purchased from partskingcanada via e bay..No core return... I have contacted seller about the push rod being seemingly to shot...
 

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  • BRAKE PEDAL & RELATED PARTS - 1955-56 FORD _4 - MC - FORD MPC ILL 49-59.jpg
    BRAKE PEDAL & RELATED PARTS - 1955-56 FORD _4 - MC - FORD MPC ILL 49-59.jpg
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Product Description

This brake master cylinder is precision-engineered to match the design, function, and performance of the original master cylinder on specific vehicle years, makes and models. It is made of new, high-quality materials for a safe, durable replacement.

* Precise replacement - cylinder housing is constructed to match the casting material of the original part and ensure similar performance

* Durable design - all rubber components are made of high-quality EPDM compound for resistance to glycol-based brake fluid

* 100% new - made entirely of new materials, not re-manufactured, to ensure highest quality and safety

* Strict specifications - made to meet rigorous SAE International standards
Click to expand...

OK, this explains it. There is no way one MC can cover all of those applications. DORMAN is also CHI-CON OFF-SHORE SLOPPY COPY.

If a multi-fit, they will usually give you the one-fits-all MC with a push-rod to fit a particular application.

You MC bore size should be 1".
 
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I had my MC rebuilt by a well known restoring company. They installed the wrong piston which gave me about an inch of free travel. I had run out of options trying to diagnose my brakes so bought a rebuild kit. That is where I discovered their error.
Click to expand...

Any chance of naming the company so others can steer clear?

It is also possible what you think is the original MC may have been butchered before
 
K will know for sure, but I think the oem master is the same-power or manual- since they used a removable booster. So what you have may still be a mystery. And not surprising. They cross reference a lot of stuff that’s not really right. I’ve been fighting that problem a a friends 56 Nomad for the last month.


Edit. Remote booster. Dam autocorrect.
 
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Yes as above it could also be in the piston in the mc itself so i have to make the push rod work and the spring well?? Thanks
 
I bet you have the wrong part (master cylinder). A spring will not fix it if you have the wrong bore. Perhaps the person picking the part figures "that's close enough". Or, they don't know about parts other than looking at a screen that someone has put a note in that says "no longer available, use _ _ _ ). In which case they should get on the telephone and says what do you want to do? To most people now days the telephone is like the plague.
 
RE-READ POST #14 -

You have an offshore sloppy copy that will fit all cars but yours. There is no source that I know whereas you can actually source a correct replacement. You have to have your take-off (if it is correct) professionally re-manned.

Even if the MC bore is damaged it can be sleeved.

Don't worry about the return spring. All it does is prevent the pedal from bouncing off the adj-rod/piston going down the road. The true return spring is in the MC itself. The 1st model year for both 1" and 1 1/8" MC usage was 1957 (unless BIRD).

If installing the correct year/model MC and you find the correct push-rod, check your WORKSHOP MANUAL for pedal height adjustment.

Keep the board informed please as it will be of help to others.
 
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