[74huggerorange]

Ok, I have a 74 chevy 1/2 ton pickup with power brakes. Just lately I've noticed them feeling squishy. When I'm sitting still and push the brake petal it goes down farther than it should. You can pump it a few times and it will get firmer. The same goes when you are driving. I can be going down the road and hit my brakes as hard as I can and have no tire lockup. It used to lock up the rears with ease. The master cylinder is about 3 years old. I put line lock on it along with new front brake hoses about 8 months ago and it worked fine after that. About a month ago I put in a different cam, but it's only a Crane Energizer 272 so that shouldn't be affecting vaccuum. I thoroughly bled the brakes last weekend and still the same thing. I don't know what to make of this problem so someone please help. Thanks for your participation

[dmorris1200]

[quote]When I'm sitting still and push the brake petal it goes down farther than it should. <hr></blockquote>

Does it just feel lower than it should or fade to the floor if you hold your foot on it. If it just feels lower but doesn't fade to the floor it could just be your rear shoes are out of adjustment. If it fades to the floor usually that is either a hydrolic leak, air in system, or a bad cup seal in the master cylinder. A master cylinder can go bad without leaking externally. If you have any more info let us know.

[slider in wa]

I think your master cylinder gave it up. No leaks any where right?
Slider in Wa.

[74huggerorange]

There are no leaks and when I just push it setting still it never goes to the floor, just farther than it always has.

[dmorris1200]

If it holds a peddle check to make sure your rear shoes are adjusted properly. Generally a bad master cylinder will result in a peddle that fades to the floor, generally.

[74huggerorange]

I finally got a chance to play with the adjusters on the rear brakes today and sure enough, it was the problem. My brakes are now back to normal. Thanks for the posts.

[Phat]

Little trick to see if your rear brakes are out of adjust next time.(had to plow snow the other nite like this) Put the ebrake on a couple of noches till the truck wont roll now back it off 1 notch......bingo the brakes will have a high pedal and you know the rear are out of adjustment. Had to run the plow truck for about 36 hours straight like that the other day. But it does the trick.

[74huggerorange]

that's a good idea...by the way where do you live because oklahoma sure got dumped on the last few days.