Re: 55 patrician help

Posted by HH56 On 2013/12/18 21:23:02

If you have a Patrician chances are you also have the power brake. Packard called it Easamatic but more commonly known as the Bendix TreadleVac or BTV as it is frequently referred to here.

Some have mentioned they feel the unit is somewhat sensitive compared to modern brakes so it kind of depends on what you are comparing it to. One poster said his car would stop on a dime and give change with the least bit of pedal pressure.

If you do have the power brakes, it's most important that unit is gone thru and the rubber parts and seals changed. Just from sitting things can dry out or corrode to the point you might have brakes one stop and not the next. Also, any dirt or solidified chunks in the fluid can prevent one valve from completely closing and no brakes. I hope you have gone thru it carefully or had it professionally rebuilt. Also keep an eye out for fluid loss. There is a history of the unit sucking fluid into the vacuum side if a seal leaks and the relief port is blocked by the reservoir cover gasket.

If yours are manual brakes, then they are generally pretty trouble free. I don't have much to offer there so perhaps someone else will have some suggestions.