Brake voodoo?
 

Instead of bleeding the brakes on the '36 my son suggested I try this method as described in the accompanying link. Wedged a 2X4 between brake pedal and backside of steering wheel as tightly as I could after pumping the brakes a couple times and left it overnight, next morning brake pedal was hard. Almost like magic. https://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/topic...p/brake2x4.jpg

Re: Brake voodoo?
 

Interesting. When adjusting 40 Ford brakes the same suggestion is made - applying 25-30 pds. pressure to the brake pedal. See second photo below.

Re: Brake voodoo?
 

And I thought I was on to something new.

Re: Brake voodoo?
 

Two different things maybe as I cant open the link. The instructions posted would push the cylinder ends out, then the anchor ends are adjusted.

I get "The file you were looking for could not be found" when trying to look at link.

I would guess that the board holding the pedal down is forcing air out of the lines and cylinders some how. ?

Re: Brake voodoo?
 

I would arrange a reservoir to ensure the master does not run out.

Not that I'm a good sleeper anyhow.

Re: Brake voodoo?
 

I am trying to get my head around why this would work. Where could the air go? I know that "gravity bleeding" works quite well where the master cylinder is higher than the rest of the system, but unless this car has been converted to swing pedals, that's not the case here.

One question for the O/P; are you using DOT-5 brake fluid? If so, perhaps the pressure is causing the brake fluid to absorb the air in the system.

I can't see the link either.

Re: Brake voodoo?
 

Hi 19Fordy,


These instructions you have are to push the shoes out temporarily for anchoir pin adjustment only. The 2X4 overnight trick gets rid of air bubbles in the system. I've mentioned this a few times on this forum based on success for me., most recently here, https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...47&postcount=3.

I started doing this for my motorcycles after seeing it mentioned in bike forums.

Try it, it works!

Re: Brake voodoo?
 

even in a pressurized system, the air will rise to the top and out the reservoir. I'm guessing this is what is recommended for the final bit of air. That's my best guess.

Re: Brake voodoo?
 

Here is the correct link.....

https://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/topic...own-overnight/


It's called latent (hidden) air in the system..... the only place it could go in a brake system under continual pressure would be out the master cylinder seals (or calipers/wheel cylinder seals). This assumes an un-compromised hydraulic system with no fluid leaks.

Beats me if this "2 by 4" method works though. Never heard of it before.....

Re: Brake voodoo?
 

Using DOT 3