1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

[James S.]

Totally restored brake system. New shoes, cylinders, Karp's restored the master cylinder, flex hoses, rear brake lines, drums, etc.

Problem: after bench bleeding the master cylinder, and brake lines, adjusting the shoes for proper drag, the pedal is stiffer but still travels to the floor. I know this is not correct. Are the bench bleeding procedures different for a single reservoir system?

Thanks for any advice.

Jim

[Bob H.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

Hi Jim. Your master should be fine. It sounds like you still have some air trapped in the lines.

Did you start with the longest line first and work to the front? I replaced everything as you did and was surprised how much trouble I had getting a firm pedal.

Also, as I recall the emergency brake was holding the rear shoes up tight instead of the adjusters. You probably need to check that.

I'm sure others will chime in with more detailed advice. Good luck.

Bob

[James S.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

Hi Bob,

Thanks.

I'm wondering if I followed bench bleeding properly for a single reservoir system? I attached the correct bleeder tube ending to the front of the cylinder (where the brake line normally is attached) and stuck the hose in the cylinder opening and ensured the hose remained under fluid while pumping the rod. I saw a few bubbles escape from the small interior orifice, and eventually zero bubbles.

At each wheel, I had a buddy of mine pump the brake while I wrencehd the bleed screws. I started the bleeding as you suggested. I observed zero bubbles at each wheel for three bleeds. I bled the brakes twice like this to ensure no air.

I guess I will try bleeding the cylinder again and the entire system.

Jim

[Bob H.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

Jim. Sounds like you did it correctly! Are you sure your friend kept the pedal down each time until you closed the bleeder? If he let up, he could have sucked air back in the system.

When I made the intial adjustment on the rear (had slight drag on the drums), I assumed they were ok. However, The emergency brake was adjusted too tight holding the shoes slightly against the drums. Once I backed it off, I discovered the shoes fell away and I then adjusted the rear shoes.

Bob

[James S.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

Bob,

You have a good point!!! A few times I recall he was falling asleep (too much Scotch that night!).

My sweet heart said she would help me tomorrow. I'll take her to dinner for helping.

While back in the man cave, I depressed the pedal again, and it was hard and then went soft. I'll bet air is still in the lines.

Regardng the E brake, it is not catching. With the E brake off, the rear wheels turned freely until I set the drag on the shoes. I did have to replace the passenger E brake cable portion.

Thanks again Bob.

Jim

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

James,

Set up some simple commands (or suggestions for the wife).
1. Pump and hold pedal down, remember it will go to the floor when the bleeder is opened and then closed.
2. Release pedal.
3. Test pedal pressure and position.

Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 until pedal pressure is good.

Take wife to dinner in Corvette to show that you trust her work.

Remember to bleed rear drivers side first, rear passenger side next, then front passenger side then finally the front drivers side.

Be sure to keep master cylinder full of fluid or you will have to repeat the whole process.

[Christopher R.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

Bob,

My sweet heart said she would help me tomorrow. I'll take her to dinner for helping.

Jim

I bought a pressure bleeder from Motive. Every time I did that with the girlfriend, it ended up like this.

"OK. So when I tell you, push down on the pedal. When you get near the bottom, tell me. When it gets to the bottom, stop. Don't let up on the pedal."

"Huh? Ya want me to push now?"

"No, d*mmit. Wait a minute until I'm ready."

"Don't you swear at me. I'm trying to help you. Remember?"

"OK. Push now."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Now???"

"YES. What the h*ll's wrong with you? Are you deaf?"

"Don't you dare yell at me, mister. Who the h*ll do you think you're talking to? You always do this. You always end up yelling at me. I hate this. I don't know why I agree to do this for you. It always ends up badly."

"OK. OK. I'm sorry. Push now."

"Now???"

"YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"

"That's it. I hate you. I'm not doing this anymore. I'm going in the house."

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

Chris,

Been there, done that.

See if you can find a guy to help you.

Bruce B

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

I bought a pressure bleeder from Motive. Every time I did that with the girlfriend, it ended up like this.

"OK. So when I tell you, push down on the pedal. When you get near the bottom, tell me. When it gets to the bottom, stop. Don't let up on the pedal."

"Huh? Ya want me to push now?"

"No, d*mmit. Wait a minute until I'm ready."

"Don't you swear at me. I'm trying to help you. Remember?"

"OK. Push now."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Now???"

"YES. What the h*ll's wrong with you? Are you deaf?"

"Don't you dare yell at me, mister. Who the h*ll do you think you're talking to? You always do this. You always end up yelling at me. I hate this. I don't know why I agree to do this for you. It always ends up badly."

"OK. OK. I'm sorry. Push now."

"Now???"

"YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"

"That's it. I hate you. I'm not doing this anymore. I'm going in the house."

loFl

[James S.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

James,

Set up some simple commands (or suggestions for the wife).
1. Pump and hold pedal down, remember it will go to the floor when the bleeder is opened and then closed.
2. Release pedal.
3. Test pedal pressure and position.

Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 until pedal pressure is good.

Take wife to dinner in Corvette to show that you trust her work.

Remember to bleed rear drivers side first, rear passenger side next, then front passenger side then finally the front drivers side.

Be sure to keep master cylinder full of fluid or you will have to repeat the whole process.

Is that all I do with the wife Bruce???

Jim

[James S.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

I bought a pressure bleeder from Motive. Every time I did that with the girlfriend, it ended up like this.

"OK. So when I tell you, push down on the pedal. When you get near the bottom, tell me. When it gets to the bottom, stop. Don't let up on the pedal."

"Huh? Ya want me to push now?"

"No, d*mmit. Wait a minute until I'm ready."

"Don't you swear at me. I'm trying to help you. Remember?"

"OK. Push now."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Now???"

"YES. What the h*ll's wrong with you? Are you deaf?"

"Don't you dare yell at me, mister. Who the h*ll do you think you're talking to? You always do this. You always end up yelling at me. I hate this. I don't know why I agree to do this for you. It always ends up badly."

"OK. OK. I'm sorry. Push now."

"Now???"

"YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"

"That's it. I hate you. I'm not doing this anymore. I'm going in the house."

Christopher,

LOL!!! Excellent! "Bottoms up!"

Jim

[James S.]

Re: 1960 Drum Brake Bleeding

Chris,

Been there, done that.

See if you can find a guy to help you.

Bruce B

Make sure the "guy" hasn't been sipping Scotch all night!

Jim