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Wed May 13, 2009 7:59 pm

My brake pedal goes almost to the floor before mildly braking. So I have to pump it every time i need to stop. I am planning on fixing it this weekend.
Along with new shoes and springs. All four wheels are drums.

I haven't noticed a master or wheel cylinder leak. Where do the wheel cylinders leak. In wheel or on the ground?

What are the symptoms of a bad wheel cylinder?

thanks

Thu May 14, 2009 4:29 am

Well, from my experience the wheel cyliner will leak into the drum, and may or may not be visible on the backside of the wheel/tire. The only way to be sure is to take off the drum and see if it's coated w/ fluid. I had no noticable symptoms except a slight loss of fluid at the reservoir.

Your problem sounds more like a master to me. Getting things working by "pumping up" the system is usually a bad m/c. They can leak out directly under the cylinder, or into the center tunnel, or they can just suck in air and not leak at all. Have you noticed a drop in fluid level at the reservoir?

Also, what makes you think you need to replace the brake springs? The originals should be fine unless they're bent/broken. I would take the drums off first and see what you actually need to replace.

Thu May 14, 2009 8:50 am

I'm dealing with the same problem, all new wheel cylinders and a new master cylinder, I got through bleeding the system and I still need to pump for sufficiant braking, I've read that it's an adjustment problem.

Thu May 14, 2009 10:24 am

Quote: What are the symptoms of a bad wheel cylinder?

usually the symptoms of a bad wheel cylinder are either a leak or the brake on that paticular wheel doesn't stop the wheel or the car pulls to one side while braking. (jack the car, verify proper brake adjustment, have a friend press the brake pedal while you spin the wheel. wheel should stop. if it doesn't the cylinder is probably siezed).

in addition to Grifter's suggestion, having to pump the brakes can also indicate loose brake adjustment, air in the brake lines, and worn out rubber hoses.

Thu May 14, 2009 10:51 am

The fool proof way to check a wheel cylider is with the drum off,peel the dustcap off the wheel cylinder. There should be no brake fluid evident.Issues involving the brake wheel cylinder siezing and not releasing are not necessarily the wheel cylinder but could also be a plugged master cylinder port.

brake adjustment is crucial ...when adjusting your brakes make sure you push the shoe as tight as you can against the drum,till the adjuster doesnt turn anymore ....this centers the shoe to the drum... if you tighten just till they drag then back off to adjust its possible especially with new brakes that your adjusting to a "highspot" on the shoe and not the full shoe,causing excessive pedal travel...

Thu May 14, 2009 10:58 am

Are your brakes adjusted?might just need to adjust the brakes, wouldn't hurt to look at the wheel cylinders though

Thu May 14, 2009 3:21 pm

Just adjust them.

Thu May 14, 2009 5:39 pm

PatterBon wrote: I'm dealing with the same problem, all new wheel cylinders and a new master cylinder, I got through bleeding the system and I still need to pump for sufficiant braking, I've read that it's an adjustment problem.

You still have air in the system.