Re: 54' pacific brakes??

Posted by HH56 On 2016/7/22 21:43:26
You can take the cap off the reservoir and check the fluid level but it is a bit of a reach since you almost have to crawl in to access it. The cap should be visible just to the left of but almost under the steering column. Fluid level should be just below the bottom of opening.

If fluid is low or gone, a few possibilities. One would be an obvious leak which you should be able to see at a tube or connection or running down the back of a wheel. Another is a seal has failed between the hydraulic and vacuum sections and vacuum has sucked the fluid into the power side of the unit. You didn't mention how long the car had been sitting or if you had been driving and had good brakes before the starter failed but if the car has been idle for a long period another possibility is the fluid just evaporated or dried up.

If the unit has fluid, another possibility of pedal going to the floor is the compensator valve is failing to seat. Debris and congealed or hardened chunks in the fluid or sometimes mechanical issues can possibly prevent the valve from closing. That has been felt by many to be the usual cause of sudden total brake failure with the Treadlevacs. Because it can work and fail then work again many feel it is how the unit got the dubious reputation of rolls thru one corner but stops at the next.

At any rate, if it has been sitting for a period of time the brake unit should be examined and either exchanged with a rebuilt unit or rebuilt by a competent rebuilder -- preferably someone who is familiar with the quirks and problem areas of the unit. The BTV is a fairly simple unit but works on a different principle than ordinary modern piston type masters. The ram seal and compensator valve are the only things that contains the hydraulic pressure so pedal doesn't go to the floor. The unit is very unforgiving of dried or cracked rubber and a few other mechanical details if those items are skipped over during a rebuild.

As far as taking the unit out of the car, check out these two service counselors.http://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SC/SC-VOL26NO3.pdf That article shows an already installed unit and should provide the information you need. For more detail but not as pertinent on your car, the other article shows how to retrofit the unit in a car having manual brakes.http://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SC/SC-VOL26NO5.pdf

Photos in the articles are of a 52 unit so those show an extra hose and an external breather your unit does not have. Except for the specific steps related to the breather, the removal and installation procedure is identical on your 54.

EDIT: Fred Kanter has posted a reply and I would surely suggest you take advantage of his offer on the rebuild. It would really be nice to find a definitive cause for the issue.

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