Each time I use my brakes the pedal stays down & won't release. I have changed the mastercylinder and bled the brakes & still it stays depressed. Currently I have a piece of rope tied to it so I can pull it back but obviously this is not the answer. Any ideas on what I should do next?
R Carty
There is no return spring on the pedal under the dash that I know of so I would check the power booster. You can unhook the linkage at the clevis under the hood. Then unhook the master cylinder from the other side. Drain the vacuum from the booster. There is a return spring inside the booster so with no vacuum it should return. If it does then move the 90 degree clevis linkage to make sure it is free.
The flexable brake hoses to the wheel calipers can decay on the inside of the hose and work like a one way flapper valve. But that will only lock up one wheel on the front. Disc brakes calipers do not have return springs like drum brakes.
Let us know what you find, Doug
I wish there was a way I could "download" all Doug's mechanical knowledge into my feeble brain!
Thanks Horst for the kind words. Being I bought my first car ( Model A for $5 and it didn't run) when I was 14 and I could not drive till I was 16 I had over a year to learn how to rebuild it. As I just turned 70 and am still building and rebuilding cars I guess you just have to learn something in 56 years. The funny thing is I'm turning down more work than I do because I'm old enough to remember working on these now old cars. In my shop right now is a 1932 Chevrolet for a motor rebuild. Have to get it done because there is a 58 Chevrolet and 1948 GMC waiting.
Lucky for me I'm in good health and don't really want to do anything else.
Doug
Richard, Did you find out what was causing your brake pedal problem?
Doug
THE VACUMN BOOSTER HAS GIVEN ME THE SAME PROBLEM. I PUT A USED ONE ON WHILE I WAS TROBLESHOOTING - SOLVED THE PROBLEM - FORGOT TO TAKE THE USED ONE OFF.