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Brakes on M-37

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 8:18 pm
by 1953M-37
Working on the front brakes and it is not fun getting the hose nuts loose and all the gunk scraped off. Here is my question. I found four lines that run up the frame now I know one is fuel and one is brakes to the rear and one to the front brakes. I have two that are cut off towards the front on the drivers side frame rail. What do these two lines go to? They both had rubber on the end like a brake line or fuel line and are cut by the generator.

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 8:58 pm
by Rick C
Most likely the vent lines from the gas tank and master cylinder.

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 9:20 pm
by 1953M-37
Why would the master cylinder have a vent line????

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:08 pm
by cuz
For water fording operations. The line would have went to the air cleaner which gets a snorkel installed for deep water fording and this keeps the water out of the master cylinder.

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 1:56 am
by 1953M-37
would the master leak with this vent open???? And where can I get brake lines?????

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:43 am
by powerwagontim
Your best bet on the lines is to call John at Midwest Military and have him send you his premade prebent kit. I was going to go the make my own route, and priced out the materials, the difference between that and Johns kit was nowhere near enough to justify doing it myself. Johns have the spiral wrapping like the original, the bends were spot on, and the install was a breeze.
Tim

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:52 am
by snowdad
1953M37, there are some pictures of the lines and the MC in TM 9-8030 with a lot of good reading on replacement of these components. If you don't already have a copy of this pick one up at your earliest convenience. You can get them on CD and that is better as you can print off the pages you need and not worry about geting the book dirty and greasy.

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 12:05 pm
by 1953M-37
Thanks guys I'm going to see if Napa has the soft brake line for a fair price .

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:10 pm
by 1953M-37
Just got back from Napa and paid $14.49 each for the two front brake lines to the drums.$31.08 for both [two] lines . The lines don't have the spring around the hose but thats OK for me .The most off road I will do is fire roads ....Now I need to get the soft lines off the axles frount & rear and get them replaced.......Wish me luck......Miles......

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:12 am
by snowdad
PB Blaster works great on rusty fittings. Spray on and let soak. Other use Kroil. I have used it also, but it is hard to find in my part of the country.
Phillip

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:05 am
by Sal
Miles. I would honestly think about replacing all the Brake lines hard and soft and really checking out the Master cylinder and Wheel cylinders. There is no scariest feeling in the world like hitting the brakes and the pedal hits the floor. Something to think about. Just my 2 cents

Sal
:mrgreen:

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 10:43 am
by vtdeucedriver
1953M-37 wrote:Just got back from Napa and paid $14.49 each for the two front brake lines to the drums.$31.08 for both [two] lines . The lines don't have the spring around the hose but thats OK for me .The most off road I will do is fire roads ....Now I need to get the soft lines off the axles frount & rear and get them replaced.......Wish me luck......Miles......
If you used another napa number, the brakes lines do actually have the armor on them. I have picked up some spare sections if I ever need.

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 11:44 am
by Brett
PB Blaster works great on rusty fittings. Spray on and let soak. Other use Kroil. I have used it also, but it is hard to find in my part of the country.
Phillip,

I've never used Kroil But its actually made in Nashville. Kano Labs is Just a couple miles from my office.

Brett

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:49 pm
by 1953M-37
I ran 100 psi of air pressure in the hard lines and all is good. I will replace all the hard lines one day [When I have cash ] but right now I'm working on getting my M-37 up and driving. I traded a running 1953 M38a1 [Willys Jeep] for a barely running and not driving 1953 M-37. So I want a driver again. And I'm making it safe. I hate when someone does poor work or thay don't know what thay are doing and you have to fix all the bad that you where told to be good. I still have to do paper work too. I have a pink slip back to 1987. Off to work on the M-37......

Re: Brakes on M-37

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:51 pm
by 1953M-37
Sal wrote:Miles. I would honestly think about replacing all the Brake lines hard and soft and really checking out the Master cylinder and Wheel cylinders. There is no scariest feeling in the world like hitting the brakes and the pedal hits the floor. Something to think about. Just my 2 cents

Sal
:mrgreen:
Wheel cylinders are five years old as I was told.......