Brake Problem with '55

[John Daly]

My friends 55 has a problem with the brakes. They work fine when cold, but lock up after driving more that 10-15 miles. The drums are almost red hot and after a long trip it gets so bad the only way to move the car is to open a bleeder to release the pressure. There's no excess drag on the drums when cold. Sounds to me like it may be a master cylinder issue...compensation port blocked maybe. i don't know i'm a midyear guy used to seeing two resevoirs on the master cylinder...thanks in advance

[mike mccagh]

Re: Brake Problem with '55

agtee with master cyl being the most likely culprit.remove and rebuild taking care to make sure the small hole at bottom of resevior isn't blocked with bubba crud. i use an acenylene tip cleaner(smallest one first) to open the blocked port.sounds like you need to buy a c-1 , jonh. good luck with your buddie's 55. mike

[John H.]

Re: Brake Problem with '55

Could also be a gummed-up residual pressure valve in the master cylinder, retaining too much pressure in the system (should only retain ten psi), and another possibility is old rubber flex hoses - they deteriorate (swell) on the inside and act like check valves. If the hoses are over ten years old they should be replaced as part of normal maintenance.

[Dave Suesz]