Just finished my 49 suburban and while I was driving it on the trailer to take it too the show I noticed the brakes were hanging up. I could stick my toe under the pedal and raise it up and I would be able to move. I installed a Master Power Power brake setup that Uses the exsisting foot pedal from the truck and I know that that is good and free. I also replaced the return spring on the pedal. Anybody run into this before?

Hi,

Trailers your Burb to a show..........must be a pretty nice ride . Send me a picture or two if your able.

Are you saying the brakes were dragging and you couldn't move until you raise the pedal with your foot? If so, then it looks like you have to adjust the rod from the pedal going into the master cylinder. It's too long and your covering the fluid return port so the pressure can't release from the lines and the brakes are dragging.

Joe
<a href="http://50chevy.freeservers.com/" target="_blank">http://50chevy.freeservers.com/</a>

Chev1 is right. Loosen the master cyl.away from the mount bracket or booster. then slowly feel the play between the rod and cylinder by hand. When it is bolted tight back into position ther should be a slight gap to the end of rod to the master cyl. Grind off the end of the rod or some have an adjuster screw. Ray

I've got a '52 Sub.. Post some pics of your '49 in the photo album, I'd sure like to have a look!

Good luck on the brake problem.

snkbyt - sweet rides!

[ March 24, 2003: Message edited by: Stinkin_V8 ]</p>

Just a note I have to pull the brake pedal up about 2in before it it will hit the brake light switch also I have a good firm pedal. its like the booster wont return the pedal

So did you get the brakes to unlock by adjusting the rod? Can you move the vehicle now and the brakes aren't dragging?

Here's a test to check the booster:

With the engine off, pump the pedal 4 or 5 time fast "like your going to bleed the brakes" and hold the pedal down on the the 5th push. Now with the pedal still down start the vehicle up. You should feel the pedal go down some when the engine runs. If not, you have a bad booster. You might also try just replacing the check valve on the hose going into the booster sometimes they stick or go bad.

Joe
<a href="http://50chevy.freeservers.com/" target="_blank">http://50chevy.freeservers.com/</a>

Sometimes you need a spring to pull it all the way back, I have great brakes on my 36 but I needed the spring to bring the pedal all the way up(I have had it set up like this for 10 years and have over 20,000 miles on it). If you look in a number of cars especially from the 50's most of them have a spring built into the pedal assembly. Hope this helps.

Thanks Just to let you know a good heavy clutch return spring was all that was needed