Brake Pedal Diagnostics

[340inabbody]

If you put in new pads and shoes, you won't get pedal till the 4 front pads are in full contact with the rotor, so that can take a bunch pumping, and if the rear shoes are out of adjustment, it can take a buncha pedal movement/pumps to get un-adjusted shoes out to contact the drums, so no pedal till then.

Lotta folks complain about low/no pedal, and rear brake adjustment is commonly the issue.

Bleeding - If you set the emergency on, that'll move the shoes out to the drum and keep them there, and the first coupla pumps will move the wheel cyl pushrods out to the shoes and stay there cuz the springs can't return them, then you will get pedal.
(If the wheel cylinder pushrod missed it's place in the shoe, that will cause no pedal.)

Good luck

Only did the rear drums (not the front disc/pads). I’ll have to study what you have written to better understand the nuances. Sounds like a lot of very good information thank you!

 

[Dana67Dart]

Just a thought.

If with the engine off, you can press on the pedal and it is firm and does not go down to the floor, AND you can hold it without the pedal sinking over time.

Then perhaps the linkages are not matched correctly

When the engine is running the booster will pull the pedal down more than your leg alone can move it, but only a 1/2" to 1"

So if the linkages were not matched correctly maybe you are already close to the floor and 1 inch bottoms it out.