Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I have replaced the BTV, installed new lines, bled the brake lines. My question is when I press the "Easamatic" brake it doesn't press so easily. It is very firm and only about 1/4" of play in the brake pedal. Is this normal? I don't have anything to compare to so I'm not sure.

If the brake shoes are adjusted properly they don't move far so the pedal usually doesn't have to move more than an inch or two before brakes are applied. There is very little free play as compared to manual brakes. The pedal is directly connected to the rod so it only has to move maybe 1/8 inch before vacuum is started to be admitted to do the work. The pedal should move very easily and many complain that it moves so little and so freely that the brakes are applied too severely and it takes a very gentle touch to avoid meeting the windshield.

If the pedal is hard to move I would check vacuum. Pushing the pedal down, do you hear a whoosh or hiss as vacuum is allowed to enter the vacuum apply portion of power unit? If not, make sure there are no leaks and the check valve at the intake manifold is working properly. When the engine has been running, after turning it off there should still be enough vacuum held in the lines and reserve canister for at least two or three brake applications. The vacuum will eventually bleed off but not that fast if the lines and check valve are in good condition.

Thank you sir. The brake is very firm. Almost like it is stuck. I will check the vacuum and see if the problem is there. Thanks again.

I'm not sure I understand your question - do your brakes apply and stop the car? Are you just saying there is very little pedal movement? Or that the pedal isn't spongy (it shouldn't be), or are you saying you have to press very hard to apply the brakes?

I don't agree entirely with HH56 about the amount of pedal movement, my own BTV and most others I've driven the total pedal movement to apply the brakes fully is about 1/2 inch of travel though this of course depends on how well the brakes are adjusted.

I guess I assumed the brake pedal would have a more spongy feel like modern brake pedals. It will only depress maybe 1/4-1/2" as it is very firm. I still have some adjustments to go on the brakes but before I went any further I was making sure this was the norm. Thanks again guys.

Dave you are right on the pedal distance. Mine has larger front cylinders than stock so that may affect my travel a little but 1/2 to 1" does sound better. As I mentioned, some do complain about the sensitivity and almost the lack of any pedal travel before the car comes to an abrupt stop so they might be comparing it to modern too.

thanks again. This is exactly what I was looking for.

Howard, my wife almost put me thru the windshield the first time she drove our first 56 (1962). This after I warned her that the brakes were very touchy.
Now, why aren't my brakes as touchy on my current 400?
(No asbestos lining??)