Brake failure

JasonNC
JasonNC Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I jumped in the old Hudson expecting to cruise on my day off yesterday and had absolutely no brakes whatsoever. It had been about a week or two since I last drove it and the weather had gotten real cold in the meantime. I am assuming I must have air in the brake line somewhere as I can pump them up, but they only last for a few seconds? This is the first time this has happened. I'm wondering what may have caused this to occur.

Jason

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    leak in the system, somewhere....



    here's what to check for...



    1)Puddles of brake fluid, under the master cylinder

    2)Wetness around the back or the top of the wheel backing plates (where the wheel cylinders bolt up to)

    3)Wetness on any of the metal lines

    4)Broken/split/rotte old brake hose



    Also, if this does not turn up any items, pull a wheel at a time, look for failed, leaking wheel cylinders...



    When was the last time brakes were done? might be time to check them out, give them an overhaul....



    All of the parts are available thru local autoparts stores, Autozone, Advanced, NAPA.... just ask, most of us can give you part numbers for wheel cylinder kits, master cylinder kits, brake hoses, and even ready to install wheel and master cylinders. Metal lines, well, you'll have to make them on your own...



    Oh, and don't forget wheel seals, I got those numbers somewhere...
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Did your backup brake come on?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    i wonder why the mechanical back up brakes didnt work? did you push the petal to the floor?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I'd say you have air in the system because the fluid leaked out. Check hudsonkid's reply, he has experience at this.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Of the four Stepdowns I've owned, the mechanical back-up brakes did not work. Is this a common problem?
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    66patrick66 wrote:
    Of the four Stepdowns I've owned, the mechanical back-up brakes did not work. Is this a common problem?



    There is a specific adjustment for the amount of movement of the pedal before the back-up system picks up on the linkage. You need to check this out. It is 1-1/4" between the rear surface of the retaining pin and the end of the slot in the linkage.

    Geoff.
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    66patrick66 wrote:
    Of the four Stepdowns I've owned, the mechanical back-up brakes did not work. Is this a common problem?



    It is a common problem - and it's caused by; People don't know the system exists, people don't know you have to adjust the emergency brake cables (as on ALL cars) or they don't maintain the system.



    Brakes are one of the most overlooked systems in an old car - hey, if they stop the car, everything must be ok, right?? Wrong.



    As for the age old question does the system work?? You'd better beleive it. I had, for a while, a 1953 Hornet sedan. I drove the thing for about 2, 3 months with a rather low brake pedal. Finally got to trying to figure out what was wrong and found the master cylinder empty and dry. I figure I'd been driving around (I used this car for a daily driver) for at least 2 months on the rear (cable) brakes alone.



    Hudsonly,

    Alex Burr

    HudsonTech

    Memphis, TN
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Hi Hudson Dave here . The best way to ck.them out take a pair of vicegrips and pinch off the rear brake hose .Try the brakes If every thing is happy you have a rear w/c leaking. If It makes no diference then try the front brake hoses one at the time . If pinching off the both front hoses makes on differance It Is the M/C Hudson Dave:eek:
  • 37 CTS
    37 CTS Senior Contributor
    Preformed brake lines are availble at Inlinetube.com , they also make lines for the convertibles. Steel or stainless steel are avaible. I was very pleased with service and product.

    Check all lines and hoses while inspecting the brake system, replace anythng that looks less that satiafactory

    29 Vic
  • Hudsy Wudsy
    Hudsy Wudsy Senior Contributor
    29 Vic wrote:
    Preformed brake lines are availble at Inlinetube.com , they also make lines for the convertibles. Steel or stainless steel are avaible. I was very pleased with service and product.

    Check all lines and hoses while inspecting the brake system, replace anythng that looks less that satiafactory

    29 Vic



    I find pipe bendine tedious so I checked them out. Their Hudson listings began with '51 and went up. Can any of you state off hand what changed regarding brake lines between '50 and '51? Or, for that matter, what was different about brake lines on a Hornet versus a Commodore of the same year?
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    James P. wrote:
    I find pipe bendine tedious so I checked them out. Their Hudson listings began with '51 and went up. Can any of you state off hand what changed regarding brake lines between '50 and '51? Or, for that matter, what was different about brake lines on a Hornet versus a Commodore of the same year?



    According to the parts catalog there is no different in brake lines from sometime in '49 to '54. Short wheelbase cars and Jets of course are different.
  • Hudsy Wudsy
    Hudsy Wudsy Senior Contributor
    Thanks for that , Mars55. I know that there was some minor change to the crossmember and stringers beneath the rear seat between '49 and '50. I imagine that similar small changes could have happened later, but I couldn't think of anything substantial enough to limit their brake line application to '51 - '54.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Guys , Sorry but I would'nt recomend pinching lines, that can cause unseen internal damage that cause problems harder to find.
  • JasonNC
    JasonNC Expert Adviser
    Thanks guys,

    I'm going to follow most of the recommendations (I too have doubts about the pinching the brake line suggestion) since it's been about 6 years since the brakes have had any serious work done on them. When I mentioned how dirty the brake fluid looked to my parts guy at NAPA, he suggested that, before I did a whole lot brake repairs, that I bleed the right rear cylinder while simultaneously putting fresh fluid in the master cylinder. Anybody ever try that? He claims it replenishes the fluid without having to actually bleed all four cylinders.

    Jason
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    You will have to bleed all 4 cylinder to get new fluid throughout the system. The parts man may know his parts but a little short as a mechanic.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    RIGHT ON BILLY, short cuts allways leave you there, a little short
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