Brakes / 74?

[74hulk]

Hi all, have been trying to find some info on brakes around the site but am having difficulty (new at this).
I have just bought a shorty and when you push down on the brakes there is a hisssing noise from under the master cylinder which has a mesh type opening. I have barely any brakes and the peddle wont return when pressed unless you lift it back up with your foot. Any info tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

[Blknight.aus]

for starters you have low brake fluid and the return spring on the brake pedal is broken.

[74hulk]

thanks,
fluid is right and return spring is also right. The spring is there but not strong enough to lift the peddle due to whatever is happening to brakes??

[Blknight.aus]

in that case you also have any one or all of the following. (this is assuming that the 74 means you have a 1974 series landy and its therefore drums all round.

1. the system is chocked full of aerated brake fluid

2. you have contaminated fluid that has jelled and is not permitting normal operation of the hydraulics.

3. the master cylinder is rusted and binding or has swollen seals causing the same effect

4. you have a blocked/collapsed primary line/lines from the master cylinder to the cylinders

5. the brake slave cylinders are binding as per the master in point 3

6. the brake shoe return springs are no longer up to the task of pulling back the brakes or holding them in the correct position

7. the drums are way over size.

Given its a 74 and also making the assumption that its not had brake work for a long time once you start touching the brakes your going to be reworking pretty much the whole system.

[dandlandyman]

If the pedal won't return on its own, the shaft upon which the pedal hinges could be seizing. Remove the top cover of the pedal box to oil. Hissing noise? Do you have a booster? The mesh outlet you're talking about has me mystified...

Dan.
69 2A 88" pet4, 74 3 109" pet4, 68 2B FC pet6.