Brake pedal rock solid

Quick question for you guys....I have 10" drums on my 69 CJ5. All brakes adjusted out nicely. Pedal is rock soild with NO sponge and very little travel. Problem is braking is marginal at best and I have to slam some of my 220# into the pedal to stop.

I read a post sometime back concerning the wrong shoes on a non power assisted brake sytem.....different composition I think?

Any thoughts or suggestions for ressurecting the 10" drums? When I win the lottery I will do the disc conversion, until then I NEED BRAKES.

 

Pull off the drums and make sure that you dont have shoes that have gotten covered with grease or brake fluid. Just cause there is plenty of shoe left doesn't mean that they are going to provide any friction. Also while the drums are off, have another person VERY lightly press the pedal and make sure that your wheel cylinders are actually moving and not seized. Best to do this one at a time as the fluid will always take the path of least resistance and may give the appearence that they are stuck. Pull back the boots on each of the wheel cylinders and check if they are leaking, or crusted up with rust. Lastly sometimes the drums get glazed over and may need to be turned to give a surface that will provide friction to the shoes.

 

Howdy, is your Master Cylinder still under the floor or has it been moved to the firewall? Could it be worn linkage not pressing in a straight line or debris clogging the pedal travel?

 

me too