I have an 85 fl350 with the rear brakes barely grabbing, and the fronts not working at all....

It has been sitting for many years, but no fluid has leaked out that I have seen. It has seen very little use, so I'm sure they are not worn out. The sight gauge appears to have fluid on both sides, but I cant get the lid off. (stripped screw) I'm sure I will have to deal with this sooner than later, but I thought it best to have a "game plan" in advance.

I am a complete idiot when it comes to brakes, and would appreciate some advice on where to start.

I have read many brake issues on the forums, but sometimes its just easier to post.

 

If it has been sitting for any length of time -- you need to drain the brake fluid and add brand new fluid. Brake fluid absorbs moisture when stored and that will wreak havoc on your braking system.

I would suggest that you spend the money and re-do all the seals in the master cylinder, calipers and/or drum cylinders. I'm not familiar with the Odyssey so you will have to determine the type of things that need seals. It will be money well spent and will also save you some headaches down the road. If you just drain the fluid and add new, it will probably help, but there will still be damage to the seals that sitting and the moisture has caused. I'd even put new pads and re-surfae the drum/discs also.

I've done plenty of brake jobs on cars, trucks, etc. and it is time well spent to just make everything as new as possible at the same time. Most of this entails tearing into the same areas and really isn't any more labor intensive to just go ahead and do it all while you are dirty and looking at it anyway.

Good Luck,


DK

 

The rear brake is a no brainer,get the rear wheels off the ground on jack stands, more than likely the parking brake cable will need to be adjusted i just tighten mine till it starts to bind binds and back it off, when you have it on jackstands you can start it and put it in gear and test your progress. As for the front remove the drums take them to pep boy's and see if there is enough material to resurface they wont be able to resurface it it's to small

 

hi i hade one of theas for a whyle and i know that the front brakes are like non existant i had a problem all the time. if i adjusted them u would get like 5 heard stopes on them and thay would be faded to nothing. thay just suck. not i hope u dont have the problem i had. i sold it because the axles kept braking good luck with theem.