Help , I have a 70 charger 4 speed with power disc brakes the pedal seems low to me (see pic) as it will not engage the brake light switch it seems this rod is too short (see other pic) Is this rod to short? or is the clutch pedal to high?
do you know where i could get a correct one?
Posted By: VoodooCLD
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/21/13 04:38 PM
I was under the impression this was because of the power brakes which puts the pedal at a much lower position than the clutch.
I have the same issue, and was just gonna leave it. If there is a good fix, then i'm interested as well.
Posted By: stumpy
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/21/13 04:44 PM
I always thought that was normal pedal height for power brakes and the brake light switch is adjustable. Do you have the rear brakes adjusted to where they bearly contact the drums? That will bring the pedal up some.
Posted By: John_Kunkel
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/21/13 06:34 PM
Pedal height mismatch is common with power brake/stick shift combos, it's because the brake pedal ratio is lower with power brakes.
adjustabe switch should do it then( to solve brake lights), and be happy with it or may two heim joints and adjust/trim thread to make it a adjustable height.
Posted By: 71birdJ68
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/21/13 09:36 PM
As long as it doesn't bottom out on the floor, its ok. If you read the service manual it tells you that power brake pedals are further down than manual pedals.Thats so you can keep your heel on the floor and not throw every body threw the windshield.
that makes sense thank you for the responses i guess i'll leave it and get the switch
Posted By: 71birdJ68
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/21/13 09:41 PM
Also there is measurement for the switch. Look in the book.
Posted By: ademon
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/21/13 10:10 PM
Also the low brake pedal helps with a 4 speed on a hill when you have to tap dance the three pedals on take off!
Posted By: stumpy
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/22/13 01:20 AM
You could just try adjusting the switch that's already there.
Posted By: 71birdJ68
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/22/13 08:08 PM
If you notice, power brake pedals are about even with the gas pedal. They did that for a reason. Manual brakes, you have to use your whole leg, so you need the extra leverage to get the job done. Power brakes, the booster is doing the work.
What amazes me is back in the day, everybody knew this.Now, its forgotten.
Posted By: John_Kunkel
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/22/13 10:17 PM
I don't think the power pedal height is by design, as I stated earlier, it's just a consequence of the different pedal ratio for power/manual (as the pedal ratio decreases the pedal drops).
Posted By: TJP
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/22/13 10:25 PM
I don't recall any of my 4 spd cars having that much offset between the brake and clutch,
I looks a bit excessive to me
Posted By: 71birdJ68
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/22/13 11:42 PM
It didn't matter if it was a 4 speed or auto. If it had power brakes the peddle was close to the floor compared to manual. And it matter what brand it was either.Mopar, GM, Ford.
Posted By: 71birdJ68
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/23/13 05:20 AM
Ok, now this is out of a 71 service manual, but it should have been the same for most all years, it talks about power assisted application of the cars brakes,I quote " This provides lighter pedal effort in combination with reduced pedal travel, bringing the brake pedal height down to the approximate height of the accelerator when at closed throttle conditions." Now you could be right about clutch pedal. Who knows what parts are in that car now.Wrong clutch rod? That brake rod could be wrong,he needs to check everything against part numbers, but the point is, power brake pedals are supposed to be close to the same as the gas pedal. I don't remember if that rod is adjustable or not, if it is it would give a little movement on the pedal.If his brake light switch will adjust out, then he is ok.
Posted By: John_Kunkel
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/23/13 05:31 PM
Here's a pic of my old RR and the pedal height that seems typical of those I've seen.
Posted By: hemi71x
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/23/13 06:21 PM
If it helps you any, a picture of the pedals, in the 71 Hemi GTX 4 speed car that i used to own.
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Posted By: TJP
Re: brake pedal height help - 08/23/13 07:24 PM
Could be the angle of the picture as well IE: #3
