1951 m37

[Antarres Dawn]

I have a 1951 M37. It has a New Master Cylinder and new wheel cylinders. The back brakes bleed and work. The front brakes do not. I have replaced all the flexible lines on the front braking system. When I bleed the brakes nothing comes our of the front wheel cylinders. I have literally taken out the bleeder screw and nothing comes out. Dry. The pedal will barely depress. Is there a proportioning valve I am missing? Also when driven the pedal has to be pumped to brake.

 

[beltfedonly]

Check the front flexible brake hoses, they have probably collapsed.

 

[NDT]

Welcome. There is no proportioning valve. Your steel lines are plugged with goop. Plan on replacing them.

 

[ez8]

While you're replacing the fronts you might as well do the back lines as well. Don't worry, this is a simple job. It took me an afternoon of crawling around on my back. I'm 6'0" and I can sit under the bed of the truck without putting it on jacks which helps when you're working back there.

 

[Antarres Dawn]

All the front flexible lines have been replaced.

 

[Antarres Dawn]

Any recommendations as to where to buy the replacement steel lines?

 

[rosco]

Not sure you can buy actual lines that are "fits". They aren't hard to make yourself, but you need the proper flaring tool for the reverse flare. Not sure what they call it. Parts places have an assortment of brake tube lengths. They come with fittings on both ends, but I usually end up cutting one end off, and fit them from there. Get the proper bender for the tube size you are using, & some extra tube for practice. The old lines will be your basic patterns. Not sure how clean your frame rails are, but it will be a good time to pressure wash them before hand.

You will like the M37 - everybody does. Had mine since the early '70s (a 1951 too). Its great to be able to sit up under parts of it (as mentioned) - especially when your a little older then it is.

 

[ez8]

You can get pre-bent lines with the correct coiled guards around the lines from Midwest Military. That's where I got mine from. I think it was something like $200 for the set, but worth it to keep the frustration down.

If you end up doing it yourself I'd recommend getting lengths of pre-flared line from Autozone or whatever your local place is. They should have some stuff called "Poly Armour" you can use. I'd also recommend getting a cheap pipe bender from Harbor Freight if you have one in your area. Very helpful for making the bends. Flaring it yourself can be done, but it can be a drag to try and get the flare correct if you don't have the knack for it yet.

That being said, go buy the prebent lines and save yourself the hassle of having to bend everything. In the long run you'll thank your past self for keeping the frustration down.

 

[hndrsonj]

I bought them from Midwest also. It was a simple straight bolt in.