Interesting saga on the way home from RA
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Steve Davis
Also interesting that Road Atlanta is NOT on the schedule....
Speaking of Road Atlanta -
Had an interesting experience with the van (1974 Chevy G30) on the way home from Road Atlanta Nov 1 - brake pedal suddenly went almost to the floor and the large, bright brake warning light came on. Luckily we got stopped OK, and the brake pedal pumped back up and felt normal. Brake fluid level looked OK, too. Brakes worked fine the rest of the way home with the trailer on the back even though the light stayed on. When we got home and detached the trailer, the rear brakes immediately started locking up on the gravel driveway and the fronts appeared to be not working. So the fact that the rear brakes are so large (1-ton axle and huge drums) saved our butts. I haven't had the time to diagnose further yet - too much other stuff going on. Probably a line leak - almost all the brake stuff, except for master cylinder and rear wheel cylinders, is as old as the van - 46 years. There is almost no rust anywhere, so it's likely one of the rubber lines.
Have I mentioned that in anything that matters, I am VERY lucky?
I posted a new thread on this in the Trailering and Towing section...
Brake Lines and Brake Designs
On my 1999 Ford F250 the lines rusted through after 6 years and in their infinite wisdom they decided to go with a single reservoir for brakes versus the old design where front and back brakes had distinct reservoirs. :mad: Fortunately when I lost all brakes I was able to swerve into berm versus smashing a family in a mini van. I ran all stainless lines front and rear. Someone please tell me the rationale for the change in master cylinders and how that got by the safety gods.