Re: Brake lights sticking in the 'on' position

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2014/4/16 9:00:30

I ran the "not-venting" theory by the previous owner (for 44 years, and before that, his father, a Packard mechanic) and he said that it made sense to him. He recalled rebuilding this car's Bendix system about ten years ago, and said that it could be time to do it again. But first, he counseled, try the bleeder valve release the next time it's convenient, if the brake lights come on by themselves.

There are other automotive priorities to be dealt with in the meantime with car shows and other brands. But once a set of four jackstands can be freed up in the garage, up goes the Packard for a good look beneath.

With some help from Hemmings, I have begun the search and pricing of rebuilding my Treadle-Vac. Quite a range of prices, but only Kanter has exchange units in stock to minimize the down-time. Any opinions on which way to go once (and if) I have the brakes apart? Like Randy, I'd prefer to keep the car original and still have reasonable confidence that the Bendix engineering won't let me down. But if I'm to spend the money, I want a reasonable assurance that the work will be done right and the brake pedal will behave for the next dozen or so years of moderate driving.