Play in Brake Pedal

[ballzdeep]

Im having a problem wiht my brake pedal. as soon as i tap the pedal the brake lights come on, but i have to press the pedal in about 3 inches to get braking. I checked brakes, cleaned, adjusted, bled, etc. And they are all fine. So now im stumped. Is it possible, or a good idea to shorten the push rod so i dont have press in on the brake so far to get it to stop? All suggestions and input is greatly appreciated.

J

 

[coldwater]

As long as it stops fine, it sounds ok to me. Hell, even the pedal my new Jeep or pickup has a little travel before it starts to break brake

 

[ballzdeep]

Okay cool thanks, Im not use to driving it yet maybe thats why as well. Also im not use to pressing as hard as I have never had drum brakes before. I can see an upgrade to front disc brakes along with the power steering in my future!

 

[coldwater]

drums? ...Yeah, their pretty low teck units and will definately have a little "slack"

 

[Old Dog]

drums? ...Yeah, their pretty low teck units and will definately have a little "slack"

X2 on that

Hey ballz what part of ohio you from?

 

[CJ]

IMHO - 3" is too much even with drums - I had drums on all four wheels until I tore my CJ apart this year and never had that kind of slop...

Sounds to me like you need to check your adjusters, and if they are working make a bunch of reverse HARD stops to adjust your shoes.

If the adjusters aren't working, jack up the wheel, manually rotate the star wheel until there is friction on the wheel then back off the adjustment. You should be good to go (but get those adjusters working)!

 

[IOPort51]

I seem to recall that if the shoe spring is in upside down it can interfear with the star wheel on the adjusters and some times they fill with mud and some times they rust. how long ago was the last brake job?? shoe change??

 

[CJ]

I seem to recall that if the shoe spring is in upside down it can interfear with the star wheel on the adjusters and some times they fill with mud and some times they rust. how long ago was the last brake job?? shoe change??

100% correct! The spring has an offset 'hook', it can only be installed one way...

 

[ballzdeep]

Im from warren Ohio area....

 

[Mike]

I'm familiar with the Jeep in question, it's big talk in the area. Actually, it has a double reservoir replacement master cylinder, with a shorter pushrod than stock. The "play" ballzdeep is talking about is actually slap between the pushrod and the mating surface on the brake pedal arm. The pushrod just needs lengthened IMO, so the pedal doesn't bounce back and forth. If you use a return spring to hold the pedal to the pushrod to eliminate the air space, the brakelights will come on. So either lengthen or shim the pushrod to stock length.

 

[CJ]

If the push rod is shorter then stock and allowing slop - then it really needs to be addressed first...