Brakes Nitemare!!

[KimMG]

The rear brakes look nice and shiney, good job.
I wouldn't have removed the bed under any conditions if I could avoid it. Route the new brake lines so that they cannot be damaged by the suspension and someone jacking up the truck. You can buy universal clips that have a rubber bushing to attach the new brake lines to the bottom of the truck. Depending on the location, you may be able to use self drilling screws to attach them. Most parts stores sell various lengths of brake line with the fittings attached. All you have to do is use a bending tool to shape the line and mount it to the truck. Just bring in about a six inch length from the ends to match up the fittings and diameter. Carefully measure the distance of the routing so you can get the best length for the job.
Check the lines for the fronts so you don't have any surprises.

[grhand96]

http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePh..._order=0&navfo
lderid=0&folderid=0&ownerid=0

Hey Guys, I'm back.
Finally found a few more bucks to continue working on the "project truck". WHAT A PROJECT!!!

Thanks to KimMg for all your expertise.. has made trouble shooting much easier!! But I'm back at a stand still. We(my son has joined me in the project) replaced the brake lines as you had suggested.. did not remove the bed, just re-routed them out of the way. Because everything was so rusted, we had a few issues with brake line fittings but nothing a little blaster, a pair of channel locks and side cutters couldn't fix! LOL ! All except for one.. and I think that is where our problem lies. The link at the top of this post are to pictures of the part that is not co-operating !!!
First off.. WHAT IS IT???? I know it is some kind of proportioning block.. but I can't find anything in the book to tell me what it is. The lines coming in from the front are new.. NOW ! The one coming out of the top, as you can see from the pictures, is rusted pretty bad!! It should be replaced, but I'm afraid to brake the block.. or what ever it's called!! If I knew what it was called, I could get one from a junk yard. I also don't know what the rod that comes from the bottom of the block to the axle is or does. Sorry.. I feel like an idiot.. probably should have had a professional do it !!
We bled the brake line, but the pedal is still soft. The only fitting we didn't bled was the one on that block in the pictures. Any suggestions would be appreciated!! Thanks in advance. If the link at the top doesn't work.. let me know and I'll send them another way.

[KimMG]

I'm sorry you are still having trouble with the brakes after all the time you spent and parts you replaced.
Your link to pictures did not work.
Look at the link below and see if this is the part you are refering to.
http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...12loadsens.pdf

The factory service manual for a 1993 provided in the factory service manual post at the top of this sub-forum should cover your year and type of braking system you have. Become familiar with the part so you don't change the settings. To adjust the proportioning valve, you are going to need specialty tools (guages).

Check your local junior colleges, night schools or high schools to see if they have low cost vocational classes. It can be a great way to get hands on help and access to specialty tools, lifts, etc.
As far as you feeling like an idiot, don't. So far I think you have done well in making sure your brakes are going to function properly and you have had more experience with your brake adventure than most people will ever have. By the time you are done, you will be an expert and know every inch of the braking system for your truck, how it works and its condition (new, you practically replaced everything).

[grhand96]

"OH MY GOD !!!!!!!!!!!!" :o
Yea.. Thats the part... now I'm scared!!!
I've got one more trick to try.. I was told to gravity bleed the lines.. hopefully that will solve the problem.. I don't eeeeeeeeevan want to tackle that one! Thanks for the reply.. I'll let you know what happenes!

[grhand96]

lets try this..here is the mess.. can't get the bleeder valve broke loose.. any suggestions??

[KimMG]

PB Blaster? May need to keep re-applying and let it soak for a couple of days.

[grhand96]

[grhand96]

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=nd9c5xa.ntwvo3i&Uy=s7zoes&Upost_s ignin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=f romshare&conn_speed=1

This link worked the first time. I added the pictures to this file. You will recognize the before and after pics of the brake drums. The proportioning block and overall pics are after.

[grhand96]

We hosed the proportioning block down with blaster the nite before last.. worked like a charm !! We got the bleeder valve broke loose.. the dirty fluid that came out of the block was amazing ! We got excited figuring we were almost there... the line we didn't want to mess with...SPRUNG A LEAK!!! Sooo...NOW we have replaced all the lines..from just behind the front wheel to the wheel cylinders.. come to think of it.. they're new too!! LOL
So we started to bleed the system starting with the back.. got as far as the proportioning block...AND RAN OUT OF BRAKE FLUID!!!! The only place that was open at 9:30 an nite was Wal-Mart..25 MILES AWAY!! LOL

[grhand96]

We hosed the proportioning block down with blaster the nite before last.. worked like a charm !! We got the bleeder valve broke loose.. the dirty fluid that came out of the block was amazing ! We got excited figuring we were almost there... the line we didn't want to mess with...SPRUNG A LEAK!!! Sooo...NOW we have replaced all the lines..from just behind the front wheel to the wheel cylinders.. come to think of it.. they're new too!! LOL
So we started to bleed the system starting with the back.. got as far as the proportioning block...AND RAN OUT OF BRAKE FLUID!!!! The only place that was open at 9:30 an nite was Wal-Mart..25 MILES AWAY!! LOL Soooo...
I

[grhand96]

We hosed the proportioning block down with blaster the nite before last.. worked like a charm !! We got the bleeder valve broke loose.. the dirty fluid that came out of the block was amazing ! We got excited figuring we were almost there... the line we didn't want to mess with...SPRUNG A LEAK!!! Sooo...NOW we have replaced all the lines..from just behind the front wheel to the wheel cylinders.. come to think of it.. they're new too!! LOL
So we started to bleed the system starting with the back.. got as far as the proportioning block...AND RAN OUT OF BRAKE FLUID!!!! The only place that was open at 9:30 an nite was Wal-Mart..25 MILES AWAY!! LOL Soooo...
I picked up more fluid on the way home. Hopefully tomorrow nite we'll have brakes!! But I do have one question.. I know we replaced over 24 feet of brake line.. is it normal to get foam coming from the proportioning block??
Thanks again for all the advice and help.. it is very appreciated!!