just bought a 79 that had sat since 2000...runs good but the brake pedal is real soft and i dont get much til the end...bled the lines and its better, but still soft. is the pedal just supposed to be kind of soft? also if you pump it a couple times it tightens up a little too.

 

Are you rear shoes in adjustment?




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The 79 had a funky method of adjusting the rear brake shoes. Each rear shoe has an eccentric to adjust it with. They are adjusted from the backside of the brake assembly.
First step, make sure the air is fully bled out. I reccommend fully flushing all of the old fluid, especially since it has been sitting.
Then check the rear shoe adjustment. If you have not yet invested in a haynes manual, get one. It explains in detail how to adjust the rear shoes on this type of setup.

 

Get a haynes manual. It will help you out.

 

Are you testing the pedal with the engine running? Keep in mind there is a vacuum assist to help with pedal pressure. Since the car has sat that long, the entire brake system needs to be flushed with new fluid. Once that's done, then adjust the rears.

If the pedal feel doesn't improve, there is a link in the archives to the online FSMs.

 

My brakes have always been pretty soft, even after adjusting the rears. A few weeks ago, I rebuilt the rear brake cylinders, replaced brake shoes, and bled the brakes front and back. After a couple of days, they were just about as soft as they've ever been. I don't know if I have a chronic brake problem, or if SA brakes just plane suck. Anyone have any other ideas on how to tighten up the brakes?

 

My 79 brakes are soft as well. I tried flushing the system, replacing the hoses, but the pedal is still not as firm as I think it should be. I'll try the adjustment next - thanks!

 

You said it.


My SA brakes have always been soft, My plan is to swap in an 84/85 setup or do an 8.8