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Classic/Antique Car Repair/Soft Brakes: No Boost, or Air in Lines?

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Expert: - 7/18/2011


Question
Just had entire braking system on my '50 Studebaker Champion coupe replaced -- whl cyls., M/Cyl, lines, shoes, hoses, everything. Brakes need double-pumping before they are effective. Shop told me this is normal due to (as-orig.) absence of a brake booster in the system. I can't believe that -- gotta be residual air in lines due to insuff. bleeding, and/or shoes adjusted too slack, right? Thx for your help!  Robert Haworth

Answer
You are right, the pedal should be right there and not require double pumping. Two things can cause the problem, one being air in the lines and the other the brake shoes could be miss adjusted. This model car used very early form of self adjusting brakes. There is a procedure used to set the adjusters so that they will work right. The adjuster is only on one shoe on each wheel. The adjuster shoe should be he forward shoe.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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