>I got my Datsun back on the road the other day and the breaks work fine.
>One concern is that on the first pump the pedal goes almost to the floor
>although the brakes still engage. However, when I pump the pedal a
>second time it stops about mid way down and seems to have more pressure.
Matt,
Dada pointed out the possibility of a bad master cylinder, but
I would first check the following:
Pull up on the hand brake... does the brake pedal now seem to
stop at the halfway point?
If so, you need to adjust the rear brakes. Little quarter inch
square post at the top of the brake drums. Jack up the car, use
excellent quality jack stands, car firmly supported.
Spin the tire, and keep turning the adjuster until the wheel drags.
Then I usually will trun in one more 1/4 turn... check, then back
off the adjuster 3/4 of a turn. Check the wheel spins OK.
Not uncommon to find that adjuster has totally siezed up and needs
to be cleaned up (little antisieze on the threaded shaft will keep
it working for years). Also I'd pop off the brake drums, and clean
any of the old dust out (not with an air hose, but use newspaper and
brake cleaner spray).
When the rear drum is off, check to see both fore and aft shoes have
about the same amount of wear. If only AFT shoes seems worn, the
brake cylinder is stuck and not "floating".
Lots of little details... but roadsters really do have good brakes
once everything is functional!
Cheers,
Tom Walter
Austin, TX.
|