1984 FJ40 brakes

[dtbnz]

I’ve read all the threads on bleeding and adjusting brakes, but I still got a problem. Replaced the master cylinder and two rear cylinders. Bleed the master before putting into place. Then replaced the two cylinders at rear as one was leaking. Bled the brakes as instructed in posts I.e. farthest first working to nearest. Have drum brakes on front which have two cylinders each and they pretty new. Problem I have is it pulls to the right and can feel the rear right lock, but left side while it brakes is not as efficient. Starting to think that the new cylinder on rear left is faulty or seized? Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[charliemeyer007]

I thought it would have at least disks in the front. Master cylinders would be different between disks and drums, using the wrong one could cause issues. What shape are your rubber hoses. A bad hose inside can act as a check valve which will lock that cylinder.

 

[dtbnz]

I thought it would have at least disks in the front. Master cylinders would be different between disks and drums, using the wrong one could cause issues. What shape are your rubber hoses. A bad hose inside can act as a check valve which will lock that cylinder.

All hoses look good and good point as I did clamp hose when changing cylinder over and I might have collapsed it. Checked hose and it is ok and comes in on the right side, so if it was a problem it would have affected both sides. No discs at front (or power steering) even on this late model as it was a government bulk purchase vehicle in New Zealand so is standard.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Adjust your brakes front and rear till the wheels won't turn and then back off a few clicks when you hear/feel some dragging.

 

[dtbnz]

Adjust your brakes front and rear till the wheels won't turn and then back off a few clicks when you hear/feel some dragging.

Yep did that and bled brakes also. Gave up today. Now thinking I’ll check the left rear cylinder to make sure it is moving then swop over drums and re adjust to see if any difference and try to eliminate or identify possible problems

 

[45Dougal]

I had exactly the same symptoms... turned out that I had a stuck cylinder on the front, and they all needed adjusting.
Pull the drums off and check they're all moving and correctly greased.
Is your brake warning light connected correctly? What is it showing with the ebrake released when you hit the pedal?
You can disconnect the pressure switch for each circuit on the master cylinder to help diagnose.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Yep did that and bled brakes also. Gave up today. Now thinking I’ll check the left rear cylinder to make sure it is moving then swop over drums and re adjust to see if any difference and try to eliminate or identify possible problems

Are your brake shoes installed correctly?
Shoes have a shouldered end that fit into the wheel cylinder. Why you purchase them RR upper or RR lower etc. that sometimes can affect your adjustment.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

On my 71 fj40 I converted the front end to disc using FJ60 knuckles. what I had is I bought a city Racer brake booster and the proportioning valve he sells and installed it and it works fine. while still using the 40 series Master.

 

[bikersmurf]

It's been more than 25 years since I've had to adjust my 40 series brakes... disc brakes are great.

That said... bleed, adjust, post pictures. and you'll get this figured out.

 

[dtbnz]

Had all the wheels off, bled it again, checked all cylinders are able to move, checked to make sure I had brake shoes on correct way, and even swooped the rear drums over. Not much improvement pulls to right on hard braking, and right wheels lock up on loose gravel road. Pedal feels firm but the only thing I can think of it’s still got some air in the left side some where. Had enough today knees are had it lol. I’ll sleep on it and someone may trigger a possible problem.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

It think you need to bleed it again.
Possible remove the master again and bleed that as well. If that master isn’t correctly it will continue to feel that way.
Sounds like you’re close though.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Check all the steering joints, a bad/loose one can make it pull. Tires have correct pressure. Drive it around the block several times, drag the brakes some, jam them hard several times. Do it while backing up a few times, too. That will help seat the shoes and help move any bubbles stuck in the system. Then bleed the system again.

 

[45Dougal]

Yea, seat the shoes and adjust again.
Its a bit of a pain the first time, but once you get it right then you'll know.
Your cylinders are all the right way up aren't they?

 

[dtbnz]

Seems to be ok now. I tightened the brakes up on left hand side with adjusters. Then got my misses to pump and hol the brake pedal down while I used the vacuum pump and bled the brakes front and back. Clicked back all adjusters three notches till I could hear brakes shoes drag slightly. Then took it for a ride and reversed and slammed brakes on a couple of times (empty road of course) then after braking hard heard the left rear skid and now quite happy that the truck is braking even both sides. Don’t know what I did different this time as I had done the above a couple of times. Going to take it for it Warrent of Fitness (WOF) next Wednesday and testing station will check brakes on a rolling road so if it is not right I’ll be back on here looking for some answers. Cheers

 

[MatthewMcD]

Seems to be ok now. I tightened the brakes up on left hand side with adjusters. Then got my misses to pump and hol the brake pedal down while I used the vacuum pump and bled the brakes front and back. Clicked back all adjusters three notches till I could hear brakes shoes drag slightly. Then took it for a ride and reversed and slammed brakes on a couple of times (empty road of course) then after braking hard heard the left rear skid and now quite happy that the truck is braking even both sides. Don’t know what I did different this time as I had done the above a couple of times. Going to take it for it Warrent of Fitness (WOF) next Wednesday and testing station will check brakes on a rolling road so if it is not right I’ll be back on here looking for some answers. Cheers

Good luck! Following as I am right here with my brakes!

 

[45Dougal]

I'm not sure which vehicle this scheme of reversing and braking hard has been inherited from - it seems to be quite common, but this is not how any self adjusting landcruiser brakes work as far a I've found (they work by applying the handbrake many times - but only if you have hand brake on the rear wheels obv).

 

[MatthewMcD]

I'm not sure which vehicle this scheme of reversing and braking hard has been inherited from - it seems to be quite common, but this is not how any self adjusting landcruiser brakes work as far a I've found (they work by applying the handbrake many times - but only if you have hand brake on the rear wheels obv).

Might come from VW, if I recall correctly, those adjusted (ratcheted) in reverse,

 

[pb4ugo]

Most Amercan drum brakes self adjust in two ways. 1st, by applying the emergency /parking brake and 2nd is applying the brakes while backing up. The thinking was not everyone used their parking brake, so they needed another way to have them self adjust.