[mzva]

Hello,

I drove my Mustang now a couple times. The brake action was not like at a new car (it's the first time I was driving a car with drum brakes), but I thought the drum brake action were ok. Today I was able to push the brake pedal to his final position with almost no brake action. Well I drove carefully home. I read about a "autoadjuster" for the drum brakes. Has anybody experienced similar problems?

Many Thanks

Alex

[coolwaterblvd]

U may need to replace all of the internal hardware on each drum, or "maxi packs" as they are called at the parts place. There is also a front disc conversion for the 65 u can invest in. Usually the auto adjustment never work so get used to crawling underneath with a brake spoon to keep them adjusted right. Just jack the car up and turn the little gear inside until u just barely have resistance turning the wheel not enough to really stop it cold but enough to hear the brakes scrubbing the drums.

[not2brite]

Sounds like its time for a thorough brake inspection. Pull each wheel and drum and inspect the brake cylinders for leakage around the boots and to make sure all of the springs are solid and attached. Check the flexible brake lines for seepage and/or cracking. When reassembling the drums and wheels, adjust the brakes so they just barely drag but do not bind.

Inspect the master cylinder for leaks. Look inside behind the carpet/pad as well. Take the top off the master cylinder and look at the fluid levels. They should be approx 1/4" from the top. If you have power brakes, check the power unit by slightly depressing the brake pedal and starting the engine. The pedal should drop slightly when the engine starts.

If everything looks good, get a friend to help you bleed the brakes starting with the brake farthest from the master cylinder.

Properly assembled and maintained, drum brakes will provide adequate brake power for cruising. That said, I switched to 4 wheel disc brakes because I was not comfortable with drum brake stopping quality at speeds above 60 MPH.

[Soaring]

It also sounds like you have air in the system. Make sure the Master cylinder is full, then bleed the brakes.

[mzva]

Thanks for the help,

there is almost no brake fluid in the fluid reservoir.
What kind of brake fluid do you guys use?
Couldn't find any leak, yet.

Many Thanks

Alex

[Soaring]

Over a period of years, you lose some fluid. Whenever you change the oil, do some other maintenance things like checking the brake fluid level. Top it off with Dot 3 fluid, and change the entire fluid every few years.