So I've been driving the customline this week for errands and to work even   it is awesome.   One thing that is quite un-awesome is the amount of pedal force I have to exert to stop the car.  Anyone who has followed my build knows I have a completely new brake system from master cylinder (68 bronco) to the drums.  I have a very firm pedal and what seems to be appropriate pedal travel, but the responsiveness of the brakes leaves much to be desired.

I have to pick my heel off the floor and push with full leg muscles to get a braking response similar to normal braking on my modern cars.  Since I'm a tall guy my leg is bent at an akward angle and driving around town I'm starting to get knee pain.  I'm a very conservative driver and slow down early.

If I really stand on it, I can get the wheels to lock up (I've tried on some country roads) so the brakes are working, but they are just hard.  Sometimes if stopped on even a moderate incline with my foot on the brake the car starts to roll backward and I quickly have to apply more pressure, If I have to stay stopped on the incline for any length of time, the amount of pressure I need to keep on the pedal gets uncomfortable (sorry if I'm sounding a little wussy!)

Since I'm not familiar with what is "normal" for manual drum brakes I'm looking for some feedback/descriptions on what it should be like.  For example, can you typically stop coming down a normal freeway off ramp without picking your heel off the floor?  How does it compare to a modern car with power disc/drum?

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan