'59 Plymouth Forum

Late summer I began to have the right front brake grab (spike) with little effort to the pedal. Then I just lately noticed my right rear began to brake very little if at all when jacked up off the floor. I am going to replace the entire brake lines and change the fluid out to D.O.T. #5 AS I am currently running D.O.T. #3 . I am suspecting rust in the lines plugging the 2 junction blocks. I noticed rusty fluid when I changed the right front wheel cylinder last summer. By the way stupid me , the lines are original. Has anyone dealt with pre bent lines from Classic Tubes? They said they have my pattern and stainless as well. How does d.o.t.#5 work (synthetic) . The brakes have always worked well the last 8 years till now. I am also going to check the other wheel cylinders as well. I know some do disc conversions but I am going to keep it "old school". Thanks Mark

I've changed all my cars over to DOT 5 fluid, since it's non-hygroscopic it will not attract moisture into the system like conventional fluid. You'll need to replace any rubber part of the system to avoid contamination.

I didn't use my '58 Dodge wagon for close to ten years, and when I pulled it out of the shed, the brakes still worked perfectly.

One downfall is you may have toi put a mechanical brake light switch on the pedal, as the hydraulic ones sometimes fail with the silicone fluid.

---John

I haven't used the pre-bent lines, Mark - I've had someone else install them (both Faulkner and Martha), and each shop did the bends. (I supplied the lines for Martha; not sure where my mechanic friend got the lines for Faulkner).

Faulkner got his brake job around 15 years ago, not remembering exactly; he put DOT 5 in, and replaced all the cylinders. I haven't had a lick of trouble. I did have a failure with my brake light switch, but it was the terminations, not the switch itself. Watch it fail now!

I got the rear lines off. John got it right. The rear supply hose was plugged completely. probably rotted inside / cracked. The brass y fitting is ok. Also cleaned up the rear axle breather. Going to order the lines next week and post how it goes. I will go to D.O.T.# 5 when it gets back together. Starting in the rear and going forward. Can't do nothing now anyways. Avoid the virus and fix the Plymouth !!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay safe Mark

I got the brake lines from Classic Tubes (pre bent and too length/6 pcs.) they where wrong and could not use them. They said the part # is for 57,58,and 59 all years the same. They are wrong, 59 is different. The rear axle breather tube location that bolts down the brass y is closer to the axle pumpkin on 57 and 58's and closer to the leaf/ driver side on 59's On the rear only that changes everything. I did not get to the front at the time I don't know if there is A difference there or not. They said they would fix what I got from them but would like me to send mine for A pattern. Too much back and forth etc.etc. etc. so I ask to return it and move on, they said ok. Last weekend I bent,cut, flared my own . I used to do that on CHOO CHOO'S they turned out great. Now all that is left is too bleed it. I have A small tubing bender and flare tool, Rigid brand. I also found the right supply hose at auto zone. Will post pics and part# later. Mark

Do you have a bleeder kit, Mark? They have a built-in check valve and a magnet attached to the bottle, so you can hang it on the backing plate. Or at least a check valve to insert inline between the cylinder valve and the line that drips into a jar? How about a syringe with a tube, to replenish the fluid in the master? It's a b*tch to keep that filled with the brake bellows in the way.

And I'm sure I don't have to tell you, to bleed PR, DR, PF, DF in order...

Keep Safe!!

Dan; I will look into the check valve system. My Honda Valkyrie has them in place of the cylinder bleeders and they work great. I rigged a hose and a funnel to fill the master when I changed the front wheel cylinders before the Carlisle trip and momma pumped the brakes. I figured it was the farthest away form the master first and so on . I would like to get her out this weekend. Snowing some today and got some last Saturday. What's up with that !!! Mark