One thing to check if you have "self applying" brakes.

[JoeD]

Ever since I had my '65 Thunderbird hardtop, I've had a problem with the front brakes wanting to stay applied. I'd have to actually pull up the brake pedal with my foot after a stop. In fact, it seems an enterprising mechanic who worked on the car some time before I bought it actually put a spring to pull up the brake pedal.

Last summer I had the brake rotors replaced because they were warped, and I decided to shell out the $$s for new rotors (it's not an inexpensive or easy job as the new rotors must be staked to the old hub, a task I wasn't up to doing myself).

To my pleasant surprise, the "self applying" brake problem completely went away! In hindsight, what was probably happening was the warped rotors would rub against the brake pads, even when the brakes were released. Because the calipers are a fixed design, my guess is they can't "float" to accomodate any excessive runout in the rotors, so the pads can't be moved back enoug to clear an excessively warped rotor. The friction heads up the fluid in the caliper, causing it to expand, pusing the pads against the rotor, causing more head and expandion, and well you get the idea.

It's so obvious in hindsight, but it didn't occur to me before. I know a few people on the forum have complained about this problem with '65 and '66 T-birds, so if your disc brake rotors have any warpage to them, it may pay to have the rotors machined or replaced to make sure they're perfectly flat.




Joe

 

[4-5-6-birdman]

Just Being the Curiouos George..

When was the last time the Calipers were rebuilt or replaced? By the way Don glad to hear it's fixed, nothing quite like a good pedal!! Don't forget to remove the spring...lol

 

[JoeD]

When was the last time the Calipers were rebuilt or replaced? By the way Don glad to hear it's fixed, nothing quite like a good pedal!! Don't forget to remove the spring...lol

The calipers were replaced with rebuilt ones right before I got the car. Judging by their appearance and amount of fresh lining on the pads, I'm sure they were actually replaced. However, it seems that the rotors were not replaced, just the calipers and brake pads. The rotor warpage gradually got worse over the two years I drove the car before having had enough and getting new rotors put on. The shop didn't do anything but put on my new rotors and fresh brake pads. The calipers weren't replaced.

I never did get around to removing the spring, so I guess technically I can't say it's been fixed, only that it's good enough that the spring "fix" is all it needs now.



Joe