You guys ain't gonna believe this! UPDATE!

[Afflyer]

While I was TDY to Reno, Nevada, last week, my wife calls me and asks me if she could move the Charger in the garage so she could gain access to the attic.  I said no problem, the keys are in the kitchen.  I stayed on the line while she attempted to get the Charger started and after she did, she put it in drive and began to slowly pull her out of the garage.  She got it out a few feet and then put her foot on the brake- but then she screamed; "AIEEE- NO BRAKES- OH MY GOD!"...I didn't fret, as she was just creeping along at a turtles pace a few feet. 

She got her stopped and proceeded to tell me the brakes broke.  I just laughed and thought nothing more of it, as she never drives the Charger in the first place, and is quite used to all four power disc brakes on the Volvo, and not the all drum- no power brakes on the Charger. 

No problem right?

Well, when I got home, I jumped into the Charger and was shocked to find out she was right.

The brake pedal was literally DANGLING under the dash.  You could swing the pedal like a pedulum on an old clock!  I got down under there and discovered that the push rod that the brake pedal drives into the master cylinder was HACK WELDED like some terrible shade-tree mechanic job.  Hell's bells! I could've been hard-charging it down highway 98 at over 60 MPH and have to stop for a red light and this rod snap on me!!!!    I shudder to think of the outcome!

So now, I ask the experts here.  I think this rod is part of the master cylinder assembly, so do I need to purchase a whole new master cylinder?  Or can I find this connecting rod by itself?

Any help you guys can give is greatly appreciated.



Bradley

[70charger_boy]

It's not part of the master cylinder, but that rod pushes the pistons in the master cylinder.  You can just buy the rod

[Ghoste]

And tell your wife to go buy a lottery ticket. 

[41husk]

Yep! sounds like the Mopar gods are watching over you.

[Charger_Fan]

WHEW! I thought you were gonna say she put the Charger through the garage wall. This is a much better outcome than I anticipated.

[Afflyer]

It also explains why I had a D E E Dead battery too!  With that actuating rod broke, it released the brake light switch (she obviously didn't see the brake lights against the back wall), and it completely drained my battery while I was gone too.

That is replaced, though the negative terminal is still disconnected until I find that friggen brake pedal rod. 

I've got an APB out in salvage yards all across the nation (via the internet) for that part.  Talk about casting a WIIIIIIDE net!

I'll let you know how it goes with the search.

Bradley

[Charger-Bodie]

i think master power brakes offers new push rods !

[Afflyer]

With much thanks to Troy, I have repaired my brake push rod problem, with a correct M/C push rod!  Again, thanks Troy you ROCK!

Although, I must say, as I lay underneath the front end of the Charger with the wife pushing down on the brake pedal, I got a good look at my bushings, tie rod ends, etc...and they are literally ROTTEN  .  I really need to replace the whole front end.

First thing I need to buy are a new pair of anti-sway bar brackets, as I cracked one of mine a few months ago.

Anyone know where I can get a pair?

Bradley

[Silver R/T]

wife saves the day

[acharger68]

Afflyer, I have a sway bar bracket,driver side only since I needed the pass. side. This was for a 68. I don`t know what year your car is. If you need it give me a shout . acharger68@insightbb.com

[AKcharger]

Woooooow that's scary!

[dkn1997]

If you make any enemys, you should have the wife start tasting your food for you too.

[kamkuda]

Don't forget the little retainer for the pushrod.  These are for manual brakes like yours.

If you do not have one you can get them from places like magnumhp or Doctor Diff.
http://www.magnumhp.com/brakes.php  scroll 2/3 down the page.