I have a 73 Challenger with power brakes and soft pedal. I am reviewing the information about this issue on the forum.
* Restoration of body and mechanical completed 3 years ago; I have been working on the interior. This included removing the complete dash unit and steering column. Those are now back in and the car runs again, so I can finally get to the brakes.
* The car had a 340 originally and came with front disk brakes and rear drums, and a limited slip differential.
* My restorer reused the front calipers, put in all new brake lines, a new power master cylinder and booster from Classic Industries, a rear brake adjustable proportioning valve, and cleaned and rebuilt the rear drums.
* On delivery the car had a soft pedal. The pedal went nearly to the floor before it would stop (which was quite interesting given that the first time stopping it was on a significant downslope into the woods - just barely stopped). It has been in the garage ever since.
* I cannot see any leaks in the braking system but I have not pulled the wheels to check more carefully yet.
* When I started the car the other day, I pressed the brake pedal and it still went nearly to the floor. I think I only put pressure on it once or twice.
* Last night, with the engine off, I depressed the pedal 3 times. The first time it went to the floor, the second time it went half way down, and the third time it was pretty firm.
* Today, with the engine off, the pedal was pretty firm. I could depress it maybe an inch or so.
I just lifted the car and tried rotating the rear wheels in both directions, engine off and e-brake released, clutch in neutral. The wheels do not spin freely, they do rotate with significant resistance. I had to pull and push with some force, but they do move. Researching, more to follow.
* Restoration of body and mechanical completed 3 years ago; I have been working on the interior. This included removing the complete dash unit and steering column. Those are now back in and the car runs again, so I can finally get to the brakes.
* The car had a 340 originally and came with front disk brakes and rear drums, and a limited slip differential.
* My restorer reused the front calipers, put in all new brake lines, a new power master cylinder and booster from Classic Industries, a rear brake adjustable proportioning valve, and cleaned and rebuilt the rear drums.
* On delivery the car had a soft pedal. The pedal went nearly to the floor before it would stop (which was quite interesting given that the first time stopping it was on a significant downslope into the woods - just barely stopped). It has been in the garage ever since.
* I cannot see any leaks in the braking system but I have not pulled the wheels to check more carefully yet.
* When I started the car the other day, I pressed the brake pedal and it still went nearly to the floor. I think I only put pressure on it once or twice.
* Last night, with the engine off, I depressed the pedal 3 times. The first time it went to the floor, the second time it went half way down, and the third time it was pretty firm.
* Today, with the engine off, the pedal was pretty firm. I could depress it maybe an inch or so.
I just lifted the car and tried rotating the rear wheels in both directions, engine off and e-brake released, clutch in neutral. The wheels do not spin freely, they do rotate with significant resistance. I had to pull and push with some force, but they do move. Researching, more to follow.
