Question about binding brakes?
Andy Shouse asked 7 years ago
I called today about my AC front disk brakes binding up when I drive about 5 or 6 miles. It even does it when I flat tow it for about the same miles. I bought the rebuild kit for a Ghia. I put it on a 74 Bug frame that I have shortened and put a Manx body on. I put Ghia spindles to convert it to front disks. Any idea why they over heat in a few miles and bind up even when I flat tow? Thanks for any help you can give me. Bob
Andy Shouse answered 7 years ago
Hi Bob,
I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing this problem. Without more info it is difficult to nail down the problem. My first question would be what master cylinder you are using? It sounds like you are dealing with some residual pressure in the system. To confirm this, raise one of the front tires off the ground. Pump the brake pedal a couple of times. Next, try and rotate the tire that is suspended. If you can feel the brakes grabbing, reach under and crack open the bleeder valve. If my theory is correct, you should get a spurt of brake fluid out of the bleeder. The brake should then release.
If this releases the brakes, I would look to the master and/or the master cylinder push rod needing adjusted.
Being a Manx style car, do you have an early Bus single curcuit master with a screw on reservoir? This master has an internal residual check valve and would most likely be the problem.
Please reply with what you find. It will help the community that reads these questions.
Thanks,
Andy