I have an issue with "hard" brakes on my 1964 Ford Thunderbird

Asked by TBird_Steve Aug 09, 2017 at 12:07 PM about the 1964 Ford Thunderbird

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have checked the brake fluid resevoir and it is full. I've also inspected it
while pumping the brakes and no air bubbles are evident. The brakes,
however, are very hard and only engage at the very bottom of the floor,
requiring an enormous amount of foot pressure. The brake is slow to retur (if
at all) to it's "set" position. My first inclination is that the brake booster is
suspect, although I've replaced it numerous times over the past years. Does
the vaccum system in the TBird affect braking? The vaccum system was
disconnected years ago when the engine was rebuilt and never
reconnected. Thoughts?

21,865

Gary answered 6 years ago

The "hard" brakes are likely due to not having the vacuum connected. Power brakes rely on the engine vacuum to provide assistance in braking. No vacuum, no power brakes. As for the low brake pedal, the drum brakes need to be adjusted. If the drum brakes are not adjusted properly, there will be a lot of brake pedal movement before the brake shoes reach the brake drum.

Mark helpful

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