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Followup To
Question -
Dick,
The master cylinder is broken free from the firewall. What ever is holding it keeps it from coming more than 1/4" from the firewall. I can not see in that narrow space. So what about the models with power brakes?
Thanks,
James Taylor
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Dick,
My 59 Impala is leaking brake fluid into the inside near my feet. My father in law told me to take it out and rework it with new seals and by honing it. However I can't seem to get it out. I have all 4 nuts off the studs in the engine compartment and the brake line is removed. On the inside --I removed the brake petal linkage. There is a rubber boot that the linkage goes through that I can not remove on the inside. I don't know what's holding the master cylinder from coming out? Any ideas?
Thanks,
James Taylor
Answer -
You don't say whether or not the car has power brakes, but if it does not, there are only the bolts through the firewall holding the master cylinder in place, plus the clevis pin that attaches the push rod to the brake pedal linkage; nothing else that I am aware of. Try hitting it with the heel of your hand sideways to break any sticking sealing material that is keeping it stuck to the firewall. I doubt there is anything else under the dashboard that needs to be touched
I disagree with your father-in-law, however. I think you should get a new master cylinder for the car - they are cheap (cost is very little more than the kit!) and much safer than trying to resurrect one that probably has corrosion and wear in the bore - you might get it to seal up with new rubber parts for a while, but unless the bore is smooth and new, the repair is going to be temporary. The additional advantage of this approach is that when you have the new part in your hands, you can see clearly where the fasteners are.
Good luck! (And, remember, "you've got a friend" (my wife loves that song!)
Dick
Answer -
There is a clevis pin that holds the push rod that goes into the center of the master cylinder from the pedal. This is accessed from under the dashboard. It will be retained in place by a cotter key or something similar. You have to pull this pin out in order to remove the master cylinder from the car. When you said you 'removed the brake pedal linkage', I mistakenly assumed you meant you had removed this pin. If you didn't see it, perhaps the rubber boot is blocking your view - you can push it toward the engine compartment to expose where the push rod is fastened to the pedal.
The only difference with a power brake car is that the master cylinder is bolted to the power brake unit, not the firewall. The whole assembly comes out as a unit, then you send the whole thing out for rebuild. You still have to pull the clevis pin, even on a power brake equipped car.
Thanks Dick,
I pulled the pin and removed the push rod that connects to the brake pedal. It is not power brakes. Something is holding the master cylinder from moving more than 1/4" from the firewall. It has been broken loose from the wall but is hung up on something. I can force it to about 1/4" away and no more.
Thanks for helping me.
James
AnswerWell, you've stumped me! I've done many of these cars, and I don't recall such a problem. There has to be something blocking it from moving, and you'll just have to wiggle it and determine where the blockage is located, then find and move it. There isn't anything sticking into the passenger compartment - you've disconnected all of that, so there must be something on the front of the firewall that is catching on the mounting flange of the master cylinder, or else its body is running into some piece of linkage or a bracket. Without coming there and looking myself, I can't help you. Just get a strong light and maybe a helper to wiggle it while you watch - and when you find out what it is, would you please let me know?
Thanks. This is frustrating, because it should be a very simple problem but I can't come there to help you.
Sorry not to be able to see what it is,
Dick
