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Power Drum Brakes Question

Hikin Mike

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My '68 Coronet originally came with drum brakes. Years ago I put power brake booster on, kept it 4-wheel drums. Can't say for sure if I got it new or from the wrecker. Pretty sure I changed MC too. It was always "touchy", but thought that's the way Dodge does things.

Fast forward "today". Because my knees can't bend anymore (they are actually fixed) I can't safely drive the car. I had to modify my 69 Firebird so the pedal and gas pedal are on the same plane. I just used a die to tap another inch or so on the rod to lower the pedal. Talking to my father-in-law today he thinks I got the wrong booster and/or brake rod installed. He said the manual brake pedal are higher (in my picture below) than power brakes.

Money is an issue, so I can't start throwing money at it. What is the best way to get my brake pedal lower?

This is what it looks like right now...

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That looks way high compared to mine but mine is a 67 Coronet. Not sure if they changed that much but the master is definitely different.

20170804_213320.jpg
 
My '68 Coronet originally came with drum brakes. Years ago I put power brake booster on, kept it 4-wheel drums. Can't say for sure if I got it new or from the wrecker. Pretty sure I changed MC too. It was always "touchy", but thought that's the way Dodge does things.

Fast forward "today". Because my knees can't bend anymore (they are actually fixed) I can't safely drive the car. I had to modify my 69 Firebird so the pedal and gas pedal are on the same plane. I just used a die to tap another inch or so on the rod to lower the pedal. Talking to my father-in-law today he thinks I got the wrong booster and/or brake rod installed. He said the manual brake pedal are higher (in my picture below) than power brakes.

Money is an issue, so I can't start throwing money at it. What is the best way to get my brake pedal lower?

This is what it looks like right now...

View attachment 497391

View attachment 497392

View attachment 497393
There is a difference between a manual and power brake pedal arm as far as length goes to give you the "pedal ratio" required. Your arm appears to be shaped for manual brakes.
You need to remove your brake arm and reshape it to be a bit longer and lower while still maintaining full travel required for the master. You could find and install the proper arm if you can find one but that might prove difficult. I would not recommend lowering the hole in the brake arm for the pushrod as a solution, in your case, because the brakes seem to function well "as is" although the brakes probably seem a bit "touchy". Some might suggest shortening your push rod to lower the arm a bit but I wouldn't do this either. The only options are: 1-install the proper arm,or, 2-modify your existing arm.
 
There is a difference between a manual and power brake pedal arm as far as length goes to give you the "pedal ratio" required. Your arm appears to be shaped for manual brakes.
You need to remove your brake arm and reshape it to be a bit longer and lower while still maintaining full travel required for the master. You could find and install the proper arm if you can find one but that might prove difficult. I would not recommend lowering the hole in the brake arm for the pushrod as a solution, in your case, because the brakes seem to function well "as is" although the brakes probably seem a bit "touchy". Some might suggest shortening your push rod to lower the arm a bit but I wouldn't do this either. The only options are: 1-install the proper arm,or, 2-modify your existing arm.

Brake arm? Are you talking about the pedal?

The only way I see is to lengthen the push rod for the pedal or shorten the booster push rod.
 
Just went through this on my 63. I had to modify the brake pedal to move it down and back toward the accelerator pedal it is now where I can rotate my right foot from gas pedal to brake easily where before it was lifting leg high to hit the pedal. Here is a before picture. Now the brake pedal (I don't have a picture) is down just a little higher than the gas pedal.

20161111_144851.jpg
 
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