Re: IML: New Budd system

["Klebert L. Hall" <crocuta@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Subject: Re: IML: More calipersonline
> From: nicholasadamo@xxxxxxx
>
> Well, Fred and all, I test drove my 300 last Saturday. It is just
> about finished its mechanical restoration. The car has the Budd
> disc brakes. I had them replace EVERYthing except the brake
> hard lines. My original complaint was a somewhat low pedal....
> After sitting for 4 months, one of the calipers leaked so I
> decided to just get everything replaced.
>
> Rotors from the DuraBrake reproduction
> Pads, aftermarket D-10 purchased from Frank Mitchell
> Calipers from Calipers On Line
> Master cylinder and Power booster from Hagen's Hiway Auto Parts
> All brake fluid flushed and replaced with Valvoline Synthetic DOT 4 fluid
> Brake hoses front and rear from Advance Auto
> Rear brake cylinders from Advance Auto
>
> Here are my impressions from the test drive....\
> 1) The brake pedal is just as low as before, maybe feels just a tad
>  more solid and less spongy.2)  In general, they appear to stop the
> car OK. I had a small panic stop from a low speed when a Camry
> driver decided to just backup right in front of me. The brakes
> stopped the car nicely and there was good bite!
> 3) As the day wore on and the test drive wore on, the car pulled
> more and more to the right on braking. It does drift a bit to the
> right in normal driving and it did pull a bit to the right on braking
> before, but this was quite noticeable.
>
> I asked them to test drive the car further themselves this week and
> check this out and also check the brakes for function....maybe a
> hard line is partially plugged?? Any ideas

      If there's wear in the front-end suspension, that might be causing 
the pull to the right, and the drift to the right. If this is the case, more 
braking power would result in more pull.

      I've never driven a 300, so I don't know where the pedal should be. 
My '69 Budd brake Imperial had a pretty high pedal when the brakes worked 
correctly. My '67 Polara (all drum) has a very low pedal, but I've been able 
to bring it up some by backing up and stopping repeatedly - this works the 
adjusters in the drums, and might work on your rear brakes. I'm not sure if 
the Polara pedal should be low or not, I'm going in in a couple weeks for a 
reconaissance.

    If the low pedal isn't adjustment, then the answer is almost certainly 
bleed, and bleed again, until it comes up. Old cars can often hide tiny air 
bubbles in interior brake nooks and crannies.

    There's a small chance that one of the new parts, like the M/C, is bad 
too. I've had that happen once or twice.
        -Kle.
        '69 Crown 4DHT (on hiatus)




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