68 Charger--Brakes do not inspire confidence

[Kevin68N71]

Just a quick bit of history--I have owned my Charger since 1978.  It had been put into the garage since 1987, and a few years ago I got it back out and on the road.  Re-doing all the bonehead stuff I did as a kid, and really improving it.  It drives great, but of course, always something to do on it.

I have the big drum brakes, 3" in the front, 2 1/2" in in the rear.  I remember them always being an issue.  As a kid, I ripped out all the self adjuster stuff, as it was "in the way".  It seemed I was always adjusting and bleeding the brakes to have a "proper brake pedal feel".  I used to think it was because I removed the adjusters, but now, not so sure.

Flash forward to this past year.  I have serviced the brakes, and last week re-purchased and installed all the self adjusting equipment.  There are no leaks, bled the brakes, and adjusted them.  I had a helper step on the brakes and ensure that all wheels "grabbed".  Here is my issue.

With the car off, I have a very solid brake pedal, with minimal travel when pressed.  Now I realize with power brakes, you will have more travel, and mine does.  Now, it is nowhere near the floor, but the travel always feels uncomfortable.  As if the brakes are not "there".  The car DOES brake fine, there is no going to the floor with the pedal, or pulling to one side.  It just has an odd feel--and not spongy like air in the system.  Just odd.  (It would be spongy feeling if the car was off and it is not either, so that shoots down the idea of air in the master cylinder or anything).

I have a 1971 Charger Super Bee as well.  And while it has front disk brakes,  it does not have this odd feeling on the pedal.  Nor does my 1969 Cadillac with four wheel drums.  I realize these are all apples and orange comparisons, but interesting just the same.

For any of you with the all-drum Chargers, is the pedal travel/feel one that does not inspire confidence?

[AKcharger]

If it makes you feel better on my old '70 I NEVER got the drum brakes to work right, I replaced everything TWICE I had a choice of the brakes dragging and overheating or back off adjusters and there was only limited pedel. I did the A-body disc conversion and kicked myself for waiting so long.

Brakes are a safty issue! it looks intimidating to swap out the knuckel but its not bad.

good luck

[Kevin68N71]

Thanks for the input.

But the odd thing is the pedal is just fine, apparently, with the car off.  When it is running with the power assist, the pedal feels weird.  I know the pedal will drop with power assist, but with engine on it just feels weird.  With it off, it seems like the the pedal is tight and right.

[b5blue]

   Contact Wayne @ "The Ram Man" all he does are/is Mopar brakes. My 70 Charger had 10" drum on all 4 corners and after getting the booster replaced with "the correct one" you'd knock your teeth out on the steering wheel if you slammed the brakes. With bigger drums it could only be better. Watch out because if the boost fails stopping becomes very hard. Most likely your booster is wonky. (Assuming all shoes are seated proper to drums and hardware is correct.)