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Brake Master Advice...

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by William Dameron, Dec 15, 2020.

  1. Dec 15, 2020
    William Dameron

    William Dameron New Member

    89004
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    Hey everybody, hoping you can provide me with some advice...

    Recenltly I did some work for a guy who traded me for a CJ5 of his which had been sitting for years. I did the work, then hit the road working construction again. I live on the road a lot, but will be home for a week or two coming up, and want to get some work done on the CJ and get it running at least. From some text messages, I believe the CJ5 has the following specs:

    "It's a 73 with a 75 chassis bolted onto it. It has a rebuilt Chevy 350 dropped in it. No idea what transmission or transfer case. Fuel injected supposedly. Front axel is a Dana 40, and rear is a Dana 44. Been sitting for a couple of years, so probably needs new fluids, and a battery. Also, the brakes just press to the floor. I belive it needs a new master cylinder, and possibly booster."

    I literally towed it home, and then caught a flight, so I don't really know what's going on with it, and can't diagnose from my hotel room. But I think I'll just change all the fluids, throw a battery in it, figure out the brakes, and then just drivie it around to see what I want to do from there. Which brings me to my brake question. From what I've given you, can ya'll tell me what I can order from my hotel room to have great brakes?

    Not a lot to go on I know, but I do know that when I towed it home the brakes were useless - go right to the floor. I'd love to order some stuff, and be able to bolt it up, and bleed it when I get home, change the fluids and battery, and get to go play around. Any advice appreciated - thanks!

    PS I need to sleep before another long shift tomorrow, but I have one photo which shows the engine and most of the booster/master setup - I will try to post tomorrow when I get off work.
     
    Jw60 likes this.
  2. Dec 15, 2020
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Congrats and welcome.
    Do you recall if the pedals were hanging from the dash or mounted on rods thru the floor?
    It sounds to me like the 75 dash mounted master cylinder is needed. Front should be a dana 30.
    I would plan to rebuild the wheel cylinders and lines.
     
  3. Dec 16, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Just possible it might need fluid, ya think?
     
    Steamboat Willys likes this.
  4. Dec 16, 2020
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    That’s what I was thinking. I’d try breeding the brakes before buying any new parts.
     
    Steamboat Willys likes this.
  5. Dec 16, 2020
    William Dameron

    William Dameron New Member

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    Alright... here's the photo...

    [​IMG]

    Don't know how much that helps.

    As for the axles, and what type of brake levers - I'll try to have my wife crawl under there and take some photos... we'll see how that goes:)

    As for bleeding the brakes, I did check - there is fluid in the master. Also, something or another happened with the brakes which is why he parked it to begin with, so I do think there's actually something amiss...
     
    Fireball likes this.
  6. Dec 16, 2020
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Brakes are useful. That engine swap looks real good.
     
    Rick Whitson likes this.
  7. Dec 16, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I never use them, they just slow you down.

    :D
     
    tcfeet, dozerjim, Twin2 and 1 other person like this.
  8. Dec 17, 2020
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    The TBI motor is easy to work on if it needs fixed. I see the throttle cable doesn't look right.
     
  9. Dec 18, 2020
    William Dameron

    William Dameron New Member

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    Can anyone tell from that 1 photo which master or booster/master combo I need to order? Or more info needed? I’m looking forward to learning this thing inside and out... it’s just hard to do from another state...
     
  10. Dec 18, 2020
    BadGoat

    BadGoat How High Can You Climb?

    Northern Virginia
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    Unfortunately we don't have enough information to make a good suggestion. The front axle is likely either a Dana 30 (original) or a Dana 44 (swapped in). It would have likely come with all drum brakes, but may have been swapped to front discs. It's also not clear if the power brake set up is original or aftermarket. This is one of the challenges with working on old Jeeps. They are easy to modify and mix and match parts, so many people do and the next owner is stuck trying to figure out what they bought.

    Also, if it needs brake work, you will want to inspect all the hard and soft lines to make sure they are still good. The hard lines frequently rust out after 40-50 years. Even if they haven't rusted out, they likely have debris in them from the old master cylinder that will get pushed into the wheel cylinders and/or calipers and cause them to fail in the future. At a minimum I'd consider completely flushing out the brake system, if not completely replacing it. Or, the PO may have already replaced the whole thing and it's good to go.

    Best option is to wait until you get home and can look at it more closely.

    Mike
     
    Jonbbrew likes this.
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