Print Dad 58 Report post Posted September 20, 2022 Hello all, I feel really stupid because I already did this once about 10 years ago. so more specs… car is 70 Mach. 351c with 3 speedstck. drum brakes all around. I can pull the master cylinder and bench bleed a new on… the part I forget is the rod that hooks to the pedal. I forget how it attaches… I hope it’s not behind the brake light switch. last time I replaced the switch it took me hours. Then suddenly it went in. So I guess I need to know if anyone would leave the rod on the pedal and just replace the master? I noticed a tiny leak up by the clutch pedal today…inside car…only took about 1/16 of an inch of fluid in back bowl. frontwas perfect. looking for ideas and thoughts…keep in. Mind im71 and not as nibble as I once was. Should I just watch this or replace master?e thanks in advance. Sam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Print Dad 58 Report post Posted September 20, 2022 Follow up questions 1. can pull the rod from master cylinder and leave it attached to br!e pedal 2. I know the rod is suppose to attach inside the master cylinder. But why? Does the brake pedal help pull the “puck” backward 3. Should I just add fluid and keep a eye on things…. 4. Why do some master cylinders come with no rod? idoubt I can work under the dash.. don’t know why I appreciate ideas tips etc. sam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
det0326 179 Report post Posted September 20, 2022 You didn't say if manual or power assist but from what you describe I assume manual. The manual M/C rod ( the ones I have seen anyway) has a retainer that holds the rod in the M/C in the event that the brake pedal gets pull back farther than its normal retracted position and allowing the rod to come out of the M/C. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Print Dad 58 Report post Posted September 21, 2022 Hello Rustback, thanks for the info and thoughts. when I replacecthe master it was simple except for installing brake light switch. i worked a just that for several hours… too tight up there. when I finally got the switch in it took about a minute. that is why I was thinking of leaving the rod on the pedal. You are right manual drum brakes all arounr not sure what I will do… thanks again….. sam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted September 22, 2022 Just for info. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Print Dad 58 Report post Posted September 23, 2022 RPM, a great picture .. thanks a real great pix and if I do have a shop do the job.. I’ll give it to them. hard to explain why I may not attempt the job. plastic time I did it it took about 3 hours and thirty tries. onthe final attempt it went together sooooosimple just had to get the correct angle. this has me depressed a bit.. I have wrenched on cars for 60 years and not much I wouldn’t tackle. I guess just an issue with my age…. thanks. Sam 1 RPM reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CarZombie 25 Report post Posted September 27, 2022 Did you remove the seat the last time? If not, you might find that helps. As I have gotten older, I have developed a slightly claustrophobia condition. Had an MRI a few years ago, and really had to play mind games to get through it, that was when I realized it had started. When I had to replace a couple of small rubber pads that control the on/off of the brake light and cruise control on a 1999 Nissan Altma, I had to take the front seat out, otherwise I was too close to the lower dash and the claustrophobia kicked in. More work, but you can lay flat, more or less. 1 Mach1 Driver reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites