Is my brake master cylinder going?

[bhartwell59]

'74 auto stick... but brakes are brakes.

No fluid leaks, brakes are strong and hard 9 times out of 10. That one time the pedal will go soft on me but a good pumping of the brakes makes it right (you know, the poor man's ABS).

Have new front disc brake calipers on the way.

Is my master dying? Ideas?
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'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[60ragtop]

Have they been bled and adjusted-rears- recently?
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[bhartwell59]

Updated the rear calipers, shoes + springs Xmas 2015.
_________________
'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[60ragtop]

so you have disc all the way around?
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[c21darrel]

[bhartwell59]

discs in front/drums in rear.

Soft lines were not done.
_________________
'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[c21darrel]

you could be getting partial or intermittent blockage especially if they are older. They are not too expensive and a good idea to replace all 4 and re-bleed.
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GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
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[bhartwell59]

hmmm, they certainly haven't been changed in 16+ yrs.

I'll replace the rubber hoses the weekend... it can't hurt and might solve my problem

I'll report back

As a BTW-my front wheels do not spin freely (I attributed that to needing new front brake calipers).
_________________
'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[CiderGuy]

[60ragtop]

[didget69]

[bhartwell59]

Thanks all... per CiderGuy, will check the front wheel bearings and when those new calipers get here will replace the rubber hoses, adjust rears and bleed.
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'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[Eric&Barb]

[bhartwell59]

Ok, an update:
-new front discs
-new front brake calipers
-new front rubber brake hoses
-new front wheel bearings
-and a new master cylinder

Have bled the brakes but after going for a spin the pedal is ok... but could be better. Will do a 4-wheel bleed with a buddy this weekend.

What do you all make of the dash brake warning light that goes on, then off?
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'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[Starbucket]

The switch on the Parking brake lever is dirty or needs adjusting.

[bhartwell59]

Bled the brakes this weekend... but now the car pulls to the right during braking.

As stated above, everything is new brake wise... so what could be causing this?
_________________
'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[Eric&Barb]

Did you adjust the rear shoes?
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In Stereo, Where Available!

[bhartwell59]

No... I'll do that this weekend.

However, the right front wheel feels hotter than the left... so my focus has been up front.

More bleeding needed? Or would swapping calipers net me anything?
_________________
'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 101k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 330k

[Eric&Barb]

Should be slight increase in height of brake pedal between 1st and 2nd pumps. 3rd, 4th, 5th on to infinity should be no increase of pedal height if no air in system.
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[Starbucket]

Did you replace the rubber hoses up front. Old hoses swell shut inside a won't let the fluid return to the master cyl. causing drag and pulling. Hot wheel indicates drag.