Broken brake linkage...help

[Coronet6Pack]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. Just picked up a 68 Coronet R/T 440 with a six pack. I tried to search to answer my question, but didn't have much luck.

While replacing a bad brake light switch I noticed a broken (machined replacement) linkage from the pedal to the rest of the assembly. I also noticed a linkage bolt with no nut, and a red spring attached to nothing (still can't figure out where it attaches).

My main issue is I can't get the brake assembly free from the end of the brake booster arm. The bolt won't come out because there isn't enough room.

So...what's the trick? Or, how do I get the other end of the broken linkage free from the lower assembly?

 

[PurpleBeeper]

???? First, I have no idea what the second (cut off) piece is....looks like an attachment for a second brake booster ??? As far as getting the bolt out of the where the booster attaches to the brake pedal arm, have you tried to push the brake pedal in a little (or pull it up a little) so you can get at the nut & pull the bolt out? Maybe it was put in backwards (nut on wrong side), but somehow was assembled in such a way that it cleared? If moving the pedal up/down doesn't give you enough clearance and it looks like the bolt/nut wouldn't be a problem if the bolt went in from the other direction (nut on opposite side too), then why not (gulp) take a cut-off wheel to it, find a replacement and put it back together the "easy way" (in the other direction where the bolt will come out next time)... just a thought.

 

[kevin403]

This help?

http://www.brewersperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=PBP-B

Take off the top bolt and nut

 

[Coronet6Pack]

Can't say for certain if it was put in the wrong way, but it wouldn't matter. There is a sheet metal structure that's part of the pedal assembly. Within it, there's no room for the bolt to go out the other side...either way. Oh, and no way a cut off wheel could fit that far up. It's barely reachable with wrenches.

- - - Updated - - -

That definitely helps. I thought I looked everywhere. I even have calls in to Wildcat Mopar Parts, and National Moparts and neither have gotten back to me...THANKS! I'll order that now.

The bolt you said to remove is I think the one attached to the booster arm. I just can't get the bolt out of the hole...no room.

 

[lewtot184]

the push rod has been cut and welded on. looks like someone tried to change the peddle height. a new/rebuilt booster may be needed because the rod is connected internally in the booster. other option is to find somebody who could properly weld the rod back together.

 

[Coronet6Pack]

Eureka! I no longer need to get the upper bolt loose, thank god 'cause not sure how I would have.

I got the broken linkage free from the rest of the assembly.

Still don't know where that spring goes,though?

 

[Coronet 14]

That one bolt won't come out all the way but will come out far enough to get the linkage apart. As far as the spring goes maybe at one time it was a manual car

 

[Coronet6Pack]

That one bolt won't come out all the way but will come out far enough to get the linkage apart. As far as the spring goes maybe at one time it was a manual car

It is a manual car. It has a 4 speed. Is it a clutch return spring? Cause I can't see where it would attach. The service manual seems to be useless.

Anyway, the linkage was finally removed. I took it to a local welding shop and they fixed me up. It's solid as can be now. Thanks for the help, but I should have it all put back together this evening. Just curious about that dang spring...

I included before and after welding pics of the linkage.

 

[440+6]

That spring is for the brakes, it goes to the pedal support and to the rod for the booster I believe, I remember removing mine 20 some years ago when I restored my car and never replaced it because I could not figure out what it even did.

 

[lewtot184]

it's an anti-rattle spring. somebody cut the rod in two and tried to lengthen it. the factory did make longer rods.

 

[Sixpactogo]

I think lewtot184 may be correct in that it is an anti rattle spring. Here are a couple pics of mine showing where the spring was connected. It didn't make much sense to me and I put it back where it was. However, it makes more sense to me that it would hook into the groove in the rod that you are dealing with. Otherwise, what is the groove for? I hooked mine back up to the push rod that goes to the booster because I thought it was to help pull the pedal back. You are correct in that the FSM is not clear as to where it goes or what its job is.

 

[Coronet6Pack]

I think lewtot184 may be correct in that it is an anti rattle spring. Here are a couple pics of mine showing where the spring was connected. It didn't make much sense to me and I put it back where it was. However, it makes more sense to me that it would hook into the groove in the rod that you are dealing with. Otherwise, what is the groove for? I hooked mine back up to the push rod that goes to the booster because I thought it was to help pull the pedal back. You are correct in that the FSM is not clear as to where it goes or what its job is.

Thanks! That was very helpful with the out-of-car pictures of the pedal assembly. I'll head to the shop later this afternoon and see if I can figure it out. Then I need to search or start a thread on a super stiff driver window, and a very rattly pistol grip shifter...the projects and quibbles never end. lol