Re: '53 Cavalier brake problem

Posted by Tim Cole On 2010/1/8 21:35:31

Dear Scottie:

Nothing worse than a runaway Packard. However, I have the service manual open and there are a few likely suspects:

There is a whole list for Treadle-Vac and topping the list is the vacuum check valve.

For fade issues the manual never sites fluid boiling. However, I would suspect heat expansion and gas fade especially for worn drums. Brake drums are a total headache.

I have even heard of this type of fade occurring on mechanical systems.

To avoid running over somebody in the future I believe if you slam an automatic into reverse it will lock the wheels. Given Ultramatic is PNDLR I would rehearse this maneuver. A friend of mine was almost killed standing near a Treadle-Vac car in a garage when the brake failed in close quarters. It smashed into a restored car!

Now this is not good for the transmission, but that can always be fixed.