.......... the more I find wrong! After purchasing this 62 recently, I've discovered many, many things wrong with it, and am still trying to get it on the road. My current headache has to do with the brake system.
Brakes Part 1: Downey rear disc brake conversion was non-operational. This problem turned out to be the calipers seized on the caliper pins and was an easy fix. I disassembled the pins and cleaned and lubed them. I also had to replace the pads, which wore out from dragging.
Brakes Part 2: (and the question?): After fixing the rear disc brakes, I noticed that the front brakes weren't doing their job either. In fact. they are so bad that I can't even lock them up on a dirt/gravel road. I pulled the front brakes apart, discovered only two pistons operating on the driver's side and one on the passenger side (only three out of eight working!), and installed reman. calipers. However, after replacing the calipers I have only noticed a nominal improvement in braking (still can't lock up the wheels).
After doing some more digging, I think I may have found the problem. It appears as if the master cylinder has been replaced, but it looks to me like a MC off a later model vehicle, potentially ABS. The current symptoms are:
-- very soft pedal on first pump, which will firm up after a couple pumps
-- Pedal travel is excessive, more than halfway to the floor, and even after pumping the brakes the vehicle still won't lock up on the gravel road.
-- When holding the brake and starting the vehicle, the pedal doesn't seem to fade.
Does this in fact sound like a MC problem? Being an altered vehicle I don't know what problems to look for as a result of the disc brake conversion. I also don't want to continue to throw money at the problem and not see any results.
I've already chased and repaired several electrical problems (lights, horns, etc.) and still have to tackle a check engine light on, and a 4WD light that won't turn off. I was initially excited about getting back into cruisers, but I'm starting to have second thoughts on whether I, versus the vehicle, was the one that got taken for a ride!
Brakes Part 1: Downey rear disc brake conversion was non-operational. This problem turned out to be the calipers seized on the caliper pins and was an easy fix. I disassembled the pins and cleaned and lubed them. I also had to replace the pads, which wore out from dragging.
Brakes Part 2: (and the question?): After fixing the rear disc brakes, I noticed that the front brakes weren't doing their job either. In fact. they are so bad that I can't even lock them up on a dirt/gravel road. I pulled the front brakes apart, discovered only two pistons operating on the driver's side and one on the passenger side (only three out of eight working!), and installed reman. calipers. However, after replacing the calipers I have only noticed a nominal improvement in braking (still can't lock up the wheels).
After doing some more digging, I think I may have found the problem. It appears as if the master cylinder has been replaced, but it looks to me like a MC off a later model vehicle, potentially ABS. The current symptoms are:
-- very soft pedal on first pump, which will firm up after a couple pumps
-- Pedal travel is excessive, more than halfway to the floor, and even after pumping the brakes the vehicle still won't lock up on the gravel road.
-- When holding the brake and starting the vehicle, the pedal doesn't seem to fade.
Does this in fact sound like a MC problem? Being an altered vehicle I don't know what problems to look for as a result of the disc brake conversion. I also don't want to continue to throw money at the problem and not see any results.
I've already chased and repaired several electrical problems (lights, horns, etc.) and still have to tackle a check engine light on, and a 4WD light that won't turn off. I was initially excited about getting back into cruisers, but I'm starting to have second thoughts on whether I, versus the vehicle, was the one that got taken for a ride!
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