Deadly Brakes

[Todd]

Have a 70 Ghia. Front brakes lock up way too easy. Understand the car is light in front, but is there anything I can do about this. On a wet road it's down right dangerous.

Just mounted new tires, the MC is new, and plenty of meat on front pads - discs look fine as well.

Thanks,

Todd - skidding to stops in Italy.

[Hank Winning]

Todd
I'm wondering if your rear brakes are working? What master cylinder are you using?
You should be able to mash the brakes and stop with out locking the front up.
How about jacking the Ghia up and putting jack stand under it and start the motor and spin the tires in gear and mash the brakes do the wheels stop (and motor stall)?
I'd be interested in hearing what happens
hank

[Todd]

Hank,

you were on there. Back wheels don't stop. MC is new and a brazilian unit. Hoses seem to be fresh and shoes & wheel cyl's look ok as well.

Any thoughts?

Todd

[John Kelly]

If you have bled the brakes and the rears are not working, replace the all four hoses. It is common for them to get constricted with age. Did you get brake fluid coming out of the bleeders?

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

[John Kelly]

I forgot to ask, did you adjust the rear brake shoes properly?

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

[Todd]

Had thought I'd adjusted the rear right but may have problems there. Will readjust tommorrow when I get the car on the lift. Will replace the rear hoses, MC and adjust/bleed everything.

Spero che va tutto bene.

Todd

[Todd]

Thanks all for you help and guidance. It now stops on a ....well, less than a buck anyhow.

Replaced the brazilian MC with a European unit, as well as the rear hoses.

A bit messy, but effective.

Thanks

Todd Johnston - headed to the Amalfi Coast with the top down.