Brake problems

[65frank]

This morning there is a puddle of brake fluid by the right front tire. I went to move the car so I could jack it up safely. The brake peddle went to the floor and would not pump up. The bowl for the front is dry but the back is full. It looks like the RF caliper was sticking, got hot and melted the seals. It is a 65 with SSBC front disk upgrade. The line for the back goes from the master cylinder to adj. proportioning valve to rear. It never seemed to stop like it should.

Should the back brakes work at all, with front bowl dry?
Do I need a check valve to keep 10psi to the rear?
Is it possible the back never worked?
How do I keep the caliper from sticking?
What else should I check?

I have a caliper rebuild kit and a new master cylinder on the way.

Thanks…

 

[geostang351]

The front bowl of the MC is for the rear brakes and the rear bowl for the front brakes. Sounds like you have the two crossed.

 

[ForceFed70]

The front bowl of the MC is for the rear brakes and the rear bowl for the front brakes. Sounds like you have the two crossed.

I was thinking the same thing.
Big bowl = rear bowl = front brakes.
Small bowl = front bowl = rear brakes.

 

[65frank]

I will double check that as soon as I get home…
I don’t think the back ever worked…

But if only one bowl is dry…. will I have any breaks???

 

[ForceFed70]

I will double check that as soon as I get home…
I don’t think the back ever worked…

But if only one bowl is dry…. will I have any breaks???

You should, that's why they moved to a dual resivoir master cyln. If i resivoir is emptied because of a brake system failure, you should only loose the front or rear brakes, but not all brakes.

 

[68RCodeConv]

You should, that's why they moved to a dual resivoir master cyln. If i resivoir is emptied because of a brake system failure, you should only loose the front or rear brakes, but not all brakes.

That's only if the sliding valve in the brake distribution block is doing it's thing. If it is stuck (very common) it will not slide over and block off the brake circuit with the leak, thus no pedal.

 

[ForceFed70]

That's only if the sliding valve in the brake distribution block is doing it's thing. If it is stuck (very common) it will not slide over and block off the brake circuit with the leak, thus no pedal.

Good point. I guess the cavet to my statement is that it has to be a properly operating brake system for that safety feature to work.b

 

[65frank]

The brake line for the rear goes straight from the master cylinder to adj. proportioning valve to the rear.


And still no back brakes…

 

[65frank]

Just checked … the large bowl ( Back of the master cylinder) is dry.

When I installed the kit I could bleed the rear all day and it never seemed to get any better.
I read in a search that drum brakes need some psi to keep them set.
I think the old master cylinder is not keeping any juice on the rear.
I have a new one on the way, I need to call SSBC and ask them.

While I wait for the parts how can I check if the old master cylinder is the problem??