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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Crap, my brakes won't release

  • Thread starter Thread starter 68converted
  • Start date Start date Jan 20, 2008

68converted

Member
Nov 19, 2003
772
0
16
Colorado
Jan 20, 2008
#1
  • Jan 20, 2008
  • #1
I am getting so close to getting this project on the road. I finally finished the Granada swap and new lines front and back. Did the 4 line bleed, but now the front disc's won't release. They are clamped down tight.

Here is what I have 89 Mustang 2.3L brake booster and MC, Granada brakes up front, original Drums in the rear.

What gives? Any idea why they would not release? All the parts came off of working cars.
 

ultrastang

Founding Member
Feb 26, 2002
1,092
2
37
Arkansas
Jan 20, 2008
#2
  • Jan 20, 2008
  • #2
68converted said:
I am getting so close to getting this project on the road. I finally finished the Granada swap and new lines front and back. Did the 4 line bleed, but now the front disc's won't release. They are clamped down tight.

Here is what I have 89 Mustang 2.3L brake booster and MC, Granada brakes up front, original Drums in the rear.

What gives? Any idea why they would not release? All the parts came off of working cars.
Click to expand...

If the booster has an adjustable output rod (the one going into the back of the MC), sounds like it may be adjusted too far out and is putting pressure on the brakes even when the pedal is not being pushed down.
 

68converted

Member
Nov 19, 2003
772
0
16
Colorado
Jan 20, 2008
#3
  • Jan 20, 2008
  • #3
ultrastang said:
If the booster has an adjustable output rod (the one going into the back of the MC), sounds like it may be adjusted too far out and is putting pressure on the brakes even when the pedal is not being pushed down.
Click to expand...

I will check that in the morning, but how much pressure would it take to keep it from releasing? I think if anything, it might have one turn too much. I wanted to make sure that I had quick pedal response, so there was just barely a turn over "just barely touching the MC plate".
 

ultrastang

Founding Member
Feb 26, 2002
1,092
2
37
Arkansas
Jan 21, 2008
#4
  • Jan 21, 2008
  • #4
68converted said:
I will check that in the morning, but how much pressure would it take to keep it from releasing? I think if anything, it might have one turn too much. I wanted to make sure that I had quick pedal response, so there was just barely a turn over "just barely touching the MC plate".
Click to expand...

Without the brake pedal being applied, the booster's output rod should be close to the MC's piston (within a few thousands of an inch), but should not be touching it.

If it was adjusted too far out, it probably touched and slightly compressed the MC pistons when you tightened the MC to the booster. --MC should be torqued to 25 ft/lbs.
 

ultrastang

Founding Member
Feb 26, 2002
1,092
2
37
Arkansas
Jan 21, 2008
#5
  • Jan 21, 2008
  • #5
How to Adjust MC Input Rod Depth

Here's an article, from Maximum Motorsports, on how to calculate the depth to adjust your vehicle's input rod to the MC:

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/content/install/pdf/brakes/MMBAK-2r3.pdf
 

68converted

Member
Nov 19, 2003
772
0
16
Colorado
Jan 21, 2008
#6
  • Jan 21, 2008
  • #6
I have the day off, so I am heading over to work on the car this morning. COOOOOOLLLLLD here in Colorado. I will unbolt the MC and see if it releases the brakes.

If that is not the issue, what else could it be? I will take some pics of my setup and post them in a little bit.
 

68converted

Member
Nov 19, 2003
772
0
16
Colorado
Jan 21, 2008
#7
  • Jan 21, 2008
  • #7
It is not the brake booster output rod causing pressure on the MC. Any other ideas?

Could gunk/dirt in the MC or portioning valve cause the trouble?
 

68converted

Member
Nov 19, 2003
772
0
16
Colorado
Jan 21, 2008
#8
  • Jan 21, 2008
  • #8
Update- Just purchased a new set of calipers, $34 buck for both!!!! (Checker Auto Parts... and the outer Tie Rod ends were only $15 each so I replaced them too). I pulled the old calipers off and used a pump to push the fluid in the lines back into the MC and it worked fine. I dumped the fluid out of the calipers and it came out looking like something died in there.

I just have to coat 'em in Por-15, top coat, and button it back up before I know for sure that I solved the problem, but I am 99.9% sure it's fixed.

Thanks for the tips guys
 
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