Re: Richter's '53 Caribbean

Posted by fredkanter On 2016/6/28 16:46:36

As the fluid was crystallized the Treadle Vac will need rebuilding. You might be able to fill it,have the brakes work fine and 5 minutes or 50 miles alter have no brakes. Safety first, doubtful it is the steel lines that are clogged, 800psi from then master cyl will take car of that.

If the MC is shot then it is likely so are the wheel cyls. Remove a drum and shoes and peel back the wheel cyl boots, if it is wet or has crystallized junk in it, they also neeed rebuilding or replacing

Sometimes they are dry but the pistons are frozen. Try pushing on the metal piston, it should move freely, try both ends. If not you know what to do.

Brake failure is often attributed to "that damn Treadle Vac" in these forums. If an engine failure were attributed to "that damn engine" that the owner had not changed the oil in 30 years and had not topped it up regularly we would know it was the owner's fault. Same with the brakes but much more convenient to blame the Bendix Corp.