Re: IML: 1960 Imperial brake bleeding

[PAUL WENTINK <randalpark@xxxxxxx>]

Thank you for sharing this.

I ran into a similar problem when bleeding the brakes on my '56 through 
'62 models a few years back. The FSM is very specific about the brake 
shoes being adjusted before attempting the bleed. With the shoe 
adjustment backed off, there isn't enough pressure to push the fluid 
and air through the system properly to get a good bleed. The tip on 
raising the jar is excellent, and we discovered that ourselves also.

Your father is a very smart man, and should be commended for his 
efforts and statements regarding this process. With the brakes bled and 
adjusted properly, correctly made lines, and parts in top shape, the 
brakes on these cars should feel completely adequate, and inspire 
confidence in stopping ability. If they don't, something is wrong.

Mine do, but when I read about folks that feel the opposite, I 
immediately suspect an incorrect procedure or defective parts. 1956 was 
the first year for this style of brakes, and the only year where the 
drums needed to be bigger, adding more stopping power and heat 
dissipation. The other models should be fine unless they have been 
over-heated from repeat panic stops, riding them down a hill, or 
improperly maintained.

Paul W.


-----Original Message-----
From: richard burgess <lecrown60@xxxxxxxxx>
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Kenyon Wills 
<imperialist1960@xxxxxxxxx>; Larry Blomburg <lazblom@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, 22 Oct 2007 4:47 am
Subject: IML: 1960 Imperial brake bleeding



Hi Folks,

 

After spending countless hours working on the brakes on my '60 Crown 
they are finally working properly.  I think we bled them entirely three 
times before getting everything repaired properly.  The shop that 
"restored" my chasis did not double flare the brake lines correctly and 
had overtightened the flares at the bronze blocks creating distortion 
and leaks.  We ended up replacing all of the lines again and the blocks 
as well, at the front frame and on top of the axle.  The IML web site 
was helpful but did not really address the issue of pedal going to the 
floor.  See below.  Another tip, we elevated our brake bleeding bottle 
on a small step ladder, that really helped keeep the air from returning 
to the cylinders during the bleeding process.  After all of this my 
father had this to say:

 



For Imperial Club under "Repair" , "Brakes", "Brake Bleeding".

 

The 1960 Imperial and like years brake systems can be perfectly bled 
and the pedal still go to the floor if the brake shoes are not adjusted 
to require minimal movement to brake the drum.  The bottom line is 
that with six cylinders to provide fluid too, the master cylinder will 
be at the end of its stroke (to the floor) before the wheel cylinders 
have enough fluid (pressure) to push the shoes tight against the 
drums.  Chrysler knew this, as in the Maintenance Manual under "Pedal 
goes to Floor" you (a) check fluid in master cylinder and (b) adjust 
for worn linings.  The obvious implication is that it does not take 
much slack at the brake shoes to allow the pedal to go to the floor.  
With the shoes properly adjusted tight against the drum and just 
loosened enough to allow the wheel to turn freely you still will not 
have a firm pedal until you almost reach the floor.  That's just the 
way it is.  If you want to see this then tighten all the shoes against 
the drums and then see how much pedal you have.  You cannot see this by 
pumping the pedal as the strong shoe return springs will push the fluid 
back out of the wheel cylinders faster than you can stroke the master 
cylinder.  Adjust the shoes properly and frequently and you can get 
good braking.   

 

Richard Burgess

'60 Crown



 

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com


________________________________________________________________________
Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - 
http://mail.aol.com

-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to iml.webmonster@xxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm