Brakes: Brakes disappeared

[jeryst]

Just got a 1956 Power Hawk. Been sitting since the 90's.
Brakes worked when we drove it on and off the trailer,
and when I pulled it in the garage. Now, no brakes. Pedal
just goes to tge floor without any resistance at all. Checked
the master cylinder and it is full. Cant see any leaks.
So, did my master cylinder just die?

[JoeHall]

If sitting since the 90s, I would note even try to troubleshoot the brakes; just disassemble every component in the brake system, inspect and repair/replace as needed. Odds are, yes, the MC quit pumping, but it may have done you a favor in doing so. Otherwise, if like me, you'd keep limping it around for way too long. Good luck with your PH, they are probably the most functional of all the 56 Hawks, IMHO.

[jclary]

Your master cylinder may not have died (it could have), but it would only take one wheel cylinder to die to cause no pressure to build in the system. Check your wheels on the inside for signs of brake fluid leaking from the drums/backing plate and onto the wheel & tire. Since the wheel cylinders are higher than the master cylinder, it would take quite a bit of pumping to drain the master cylinder reservoir. Regardless, Joe is right, after this much time...a rebuild is in order anyway. Better to have it stopping than running.

Best of luck with your new acquisition.

[thunderations]

I agree with JoeHall, time to replace or rebuild all hydraulic cylinders, master and slaves. Replace all rubber flex lines. IF I were doing it, I'd opt for a dual master cylinder and front disc brakes too, plus I would replace all of the steel brake lines. They rust and corrode from the inside and outside and its been 61 years.
The cost is pretty cheap considering the cost to repair collision damage and bodily injury if the brakes were to fail.

[jeryst]

Is there a dual master cylinder available?
If so, can someone please point me in the right direction?

[thunderations]

Turner Brake makes the adapter bracket to install the dual MC. Check with Jim to see which master Cylinder he recommends for your application.

Is there a dual master cylinder available?
If so, can someone please point me in the right direction?

[rkapteyn]

http://turnerbrake.com/mcbrackets.html

Go to M/C brackets

[Corley]

BRAKES DISAPPEARED

Honest I did not take them!

[thunderations]

I have some extra brakes laying around here, but no names on them.

Honest I did not take them!

[jeryst]

Brakes fixed. Yea!

[RadioRoy]

Brakes fixed. Yea!

What did you have to do to fix them?

[jeryst]

What did you have to do to fix them?

The master cylinder went bad.

[RadioRoy]

The master cylinder went bad.

The wheel cylinders will probably be next. You might replace them, and the flex hoses, before they go bad.

[jeryst]

When the mechanic looked at all of the system he said that everything else looked pretty new.
I will try to get in touch with the previous owner to find out because he never mentioned
anything.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Flex hoses can 'look' fine on the outside and be completely collapsed internally.
With age, maintenance needs to be more than just visual.
Especially with brakes. Double that concern with a single master brake system.