Brakes dragging?

Ralph Moore

Ralph Moore

Well-known member
So I've put about 600 miles on my AV8 and have not had any brake issues, till now. Hydraulic brake conversion, 41 front brakes, 46 rear, 46 master cyl.
I noticed the brakes were dragging a little, so I pulled it into the shop to adjust them, then i noticed the brake lights were on. So I checked the pedal and adjusted the rod about 2 turns and lights went out, and brakes were fine.
Then on the way home I stopped at a friends house and noticed they were dragging again. And sure enough the brake lights were on again.
Now im assuming my new master cylinder is going bad. But how does it get tight when there is a snap ring limiting the Pistons travel?
If I adjust it again it will be ok, but only for a minute.
Next question, where do I get a quality master cyl?
Or rebuild kit?
 
Pull the m/c top and operate your brakes with your hand. Check that the piston retracts back, upon releasing the pedal, enough to open the port in the bottom of the reservoir. The piston must retract past the port to allow brake fluid to return to the reservoir. Try it multiple times. Could be a sticking piston or sticky brake pedal. brake pedal return spring installed?
 
Yes, I have a spring installed, but when I disconnected the spring today to adjust the rod, it seemed like the spring was still attached.
 
I have found on some manual brake systems that if the pedal linkage is adjusted with minimal free-play before the MC is engaged, the brakes drag, heat-up and then pressurize the system. Adjusting the pedal so it had plenty of free travel solved the issue.
 
Re: SofaKing: Great

SofaKing said:
I have found on some manual brake systems that if the pedal linkage is adjusted with minimal free-play before the MC is engaged, the brakes drag, heat-up and then pressurize the system. Adjusting the pedal so it had plenty of free travel solved the issue.
Click to expand...

I agree. About 1" of freeplay when hot is a must.,....jack
 
I took your advice in the 1" free travel, just got back from a drive, brakes are no longer sticking, but man when I step on the pedal it feels like I don't have any brakes till the pedal gets close to the floor! I'm going to try adjusting up to 1/2" free travel and see what that does.
Thanks,
Ralph
 
Ralph
Adjust your brakes, not the push rod. you have to have that free travel.
For more brake petal height adjust shoes tighter.
For soft petal, bleed system.
Bruce
 
Ralph Moore said:
So I've put about 600 miles on my AV8 and have not had any brake issues, till now. Hydraulic brake conversion, 41 front brakes, 46 rear, 46 master cyl.
I noticed the brakes were dragging a little, so I pulled it into the shop to adjust them, then i noticed the brake lights were on. So I checked the pedal and adjusted the rod about 2 turns and lights went out, and brakes were fine.
Then on the way home I stopped at a friends house and noticed they were dragging again. And sure enough the brake lights were on again.
Now im assuming my new master cylinder is going bad. But how does it get tight when there is a snap ring limiting the Pistons travel?
If I adjust it again it will be ok, but only for a minute.
Next question, where do I get a quality master cyl?
Or rebuild kit?
Click to expand...

fordor41 has got it right! Adjust the pushrod until it just uncovers the port in the master cylinder and then adjust your brakes at the wheels.
Bill
 
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