Re: brake system problem

Posted by Russell James On 2014/6/10 6:04:18

WauhopeM, you are describing the very same symptoms I experienced in my 56 400 some while back...

The problem didn't get worse but was already booked in to a local mechanic for attention. Too dangerous if a novice were to drive (if ever!)

Then one August day...
I was parked in my inclined gravel driveway with my foot on the brake pedal and hadn't noticed it had gone to the floor.

Couple that with a number of other circumstances with the car on that driveway - Pushbutton shift in Park, handbrake off and a whisper quiet engine that had stalled (unbeknown to me)

Selected Rev, foot on accelerator pedal to go back. NO WAY!
Car took off FWD for the closed garage door!

Fortunately the garage stopped the car with fender, grill, bumper and boob damage. The boob behind the wheel was not physically injured, just emotionally scarred (I get the shakes at the mere mention of BTV).

My father had a 56 Clipper which was our family car and I imported a 56 400 to Australia. Dad never reported poor pedal, but had experienced chronic brake fade.

My 400 now has a Willwood Disc conversion and an ABS Master and Booster. My beautiful car is largely back together and on the road again full time in a matter of a week (s???). Will supply specs of Master and Booster once confident with road performance.

Cheers
Russ