***Need help on BRAKES - 53 Merc Monterey***

[53MERC]

I'm hoping someone can answer a few questions I have on brake issues with my 53 Mercury Monterey.
It is currently up on the lift at a local shop.
I purchased the car a few months back, and the previous owner had a different shop do the following back in 2010, but the car hasn't been driver much since.
*2 Front and 2 Rear wheel cylinders
*2 Front brake hoses
*New grease seals (front drums)

My two issues are:

1) The car pulls hard to the RIGHT when the brakes are applied.
The mechanic says the wheel cylinder on the RIGHT opens a lot quicker than the left one. He has bled the brakes but it still does it.
Any ideas?

2) He says both of the brake hoses that the previous mechanic put on years ago are rubbing the spindles on both sides. He wasnt sure if the correct hoses were put on but is wondering if the hose connectors on the original hoses had angled connects that would avoid hitting the spindles, or were the connectors originally straight like the ones in the picture?
Any idea?
Anyone have a photo I could show him?
Any idea who seels the correct hoses?

I'm trying to get my car back from the shop asap before we head to Colorado to see our daughter who is due with their first baby.
Yes, I will be a grandpa.

Thanks for any info.

[Bob C]

The Mercury parts book shows the front hoses 12 11/32" over all length.
Part # MA-2079-A

[53MERC]

Originally Posted by Bob C

The Mercury parts book shows the front hoses 12 11/32" over all length.
Part # MA-2079-A

Thanks Bob,
I just let the mechanic know.

[53MERC]

So I called Chris at Shoebox and he said:
1) The cars originally came with wheel cylinders that had a bit of an angle on them.
2) The hoses had straight connectors, no angled ends.
3) He recommended grinding a little bit off the spindles to get a little more clearance.
4) As far as the pulling to one side, he recommended blowing out the junction box with an air hose to clear out any debris. He said that is a common issue on cars that sat for awhile.

"Thanks Chris"

Fingers crossed.

[Mart]

If you look at your picture, the hose at the chassis bracket is slightly rearward pointing.

I think if you undo the fitting at the hose, re-seat the hose in the frame bracket, make sure it is clipped properly in place and then re-do the hose connection, you shouls be able to make it clear. It is possible to sort of encourage the hose to go one way or the other by preloading a gentle twist in it one way or the other. I stress gentle, and it must only be very slight.

It might be worth fitting new cylinders. they're dirt cheap.

It might be that if you do all the fitting with the hoses in a stress free state with the wheels in the straight ahead position, they will not rub.

It just needs carefully looking at.

Trying to convey this all to "my mechanic" might be the sticking point.

Mart.

[Merc Cruzer]

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Here is a the same shot on mine (also a 53' Merc).

I agree with Mart, rather than play with them just get two new wheel cylinders and have him install them. Let me know if you need additional pictures.

[FlatheadTed]

You can have a collapsed hose inside allowing the opposite side to activate early ,Ted

[paul2748]

When the car pulls to one side, it many cases it the other side that has a problem as that side is not working properly.


Possible causes:


Brake line on left bad internally, blocking fluid flow
Bad cylinder left side(maybe hanging uo
Bad shoes left side - may be soaked with fluid.

[53MERC]

I greatly appreciate all of the info and photos guys. I will be bringing my laptop to the mechanic on Monday. Last I spoke to him he was going to try to blow out the junction box and try some new hoses.
I'll keep you posted.
Thanks so much.

[rich b]

Maybe it's just me; but brakes pulling to one side would certainly require removing all four of the drums to see the true condition of the components.

10 year old new parts are not new anymore; more so on a vehicle with little use.

Compare the crimps on the hoses in the OP picture with the ones posted by Merc Cruzer; that probably accounts for the interference with the spindle.

Hopefully your mechanic is familiar with drum brakes.

[RalphG]

Guess I was lucky that my 52 had none of those problems after sitting 30+ years. I did replace all the wheel cylinders and front brake hoses though as they were needing it. If I remember right all the new parts came from Rock Auto and worked fine.

[Merc Cruzer]

When I first bought my car it pulled to the right too!

[rotorwrench]

Drum condition can affect braking as well. I've seen drums cut well beyond .060" normal limits. Shoes sometimes need to be arced to get a good fit in the drums. Aftermarket parts can be problematic too. It pays to find out as much as you can about the available replacement parts to hopefully get ones with the best possible fit.

When the hydraulic system is serviceable and each of the four drums are properly adjusted with centering and shoe position, it should have even braking to a complete stop. Drums aren't like disks that we are all so used to these days but they will generally still be able to perform an emergency stop when you need them to.

[V8 Bob]

The first thing your "mechanic" should have done is pull the front drums and find out what the problem is rather than guessing about hoses, wheel cylinders. etc. Contaminated or incorrect Bendix shoe assembly (long lining leading instead of trailing) along with stuck wheel cylinders will cause a pull. The crappy hose installation would cause me to carefully inspect all the brakes and components.



Not sure what good "blowing out the junction box" can do as the master cylinder can generate many times more pressure than an air compressor.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by V8 Bob

The first thing your "mechanic" should have done is pull the front drums and find out what the problem is.
Not sure what good "blowing out the junction box" can do as the master cylinder can generate many times more pressure than an air compressor.

Them folks ain't "MECHANICS". Them folks is bullshit-slingin', butt-scratchin' parts changers! DD

[jimvette59]

Did you change the brake shoes when the wheel cylinder was change ?

[54vicky]

Bob and Coop are absolutely right about the blow job there is an old saying bullshyt baffles brains.in this case I think it would also mean it baffles brakes.get the right cylinders I believe Lincoln also had the angled ones.maybe order from rock auto as Ralph suggested.I have a feeling that a wheel cylinder is seized good luck

[53MERC]

Thanks for the recommendations and photos. This shop does work on a lot of classic cars, that's why I chose them. All 5 star reviews too. The mechanic did have the front drums off, but not the back, so I will run that by him to check all four corners.
When I spoke to him late Friday before closing, he was going to put on a different set of hoses. Good catch on the crimps Rich B.
I will also mention trying new wheel cylinders.
They aren't open until Tuesday.

I can't thank you guys enough.

[53MERC]

Originally Posted by jimvette59

Did you change the brake shoes when the wheel cylinder was change ?

Hi Jim,
I bought the car about a month ago. The previous owner had it for 20 years and had some repairs done by a local shop, including brakes, carb rebuild, radiator repair, windshield wiper repair, etc.
I have the receipts from that shop. Every one of those repairs that was done by that shop I've had to have redone.
My shop has put in a new gas tank (the old one was full of loose rust scale), put in the original radiator that I had repaired, carb kit, motor mounts, and now working on the brakes. I did not see new brake shoes on the receipt though.
I will have those checked too.
Thanks for the post.

[53MERC]

Originally Posted by 54vicky

Bob and Coop are absolutely right about the blow job there is an old saying bullshyt baffles brains.in this case I think it would also mean it baffles brakes.get the right cylinders I believe Lincoln also had the angled ones.maybe order from rock auto as Ralph suggested.I have a feeling that a wheel cylinder is seized good luck

So I see these on the Lincoln/Mercury site.
Any idea if these are compatible????

https://www.lincolnoldparts.com/brak...692a1114f29bd6

https://www.lincolnoldparts.com/brak...692a1114f29bd6