Brake Lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jglassjr · 08-30-2017, 08:20 PM

I have a 59 that the brake lights dont shut off unless I hook my toe under the brake pedal and pull it up towards me... I see there is no spring to pull the brake pedal back in position, it looks like a cylinder that activates the drum brakes and there is a grease zerk where the arms meets... do I need to shoot a little grease in there or is there something else going on??

**mongocanfly** · 08-30-2017, 08:38 PM

by all means ..never hurts to grease it..but it may be as simple as adjusting your brake light switch

Foot Stomper · 08-30-2017, 09:42 PM

Grease it and replace the spring that pulls the pedal home.

**mr48chev** · 08-31-2017, 12:06 AM

Yep exactly as Foot Stomper suggested Grease it where it needs greased and put the spring that HAS to be there on it. No spring also lets the weigh of the pedal assembly push against the piston on the master cylinder causing extra drag on the brakes.

jglassjr · 09-05-2017, 02:35 PM

I appreciate the replies...with company for the holiday weekend, I was just able to look at it.... I see no spring or a place where one would even connect...... what am I missing?

Russell Ashley · 09-05-2017, 02:41 PM

Looks like the spring is there, maybe you just need the grease.

Foot Stomper · 09-05-2017, 02:53 PM

I see the spring is in position too.
What I also see is what looks like a black wire/cable that to me seems to be pinched between the firewall and the brake light switch under the brake pedal arm. This would make the brake light switch stay on and with a toe hook of the pedal may pinch it enough for the brake lights to go off.

Move that wire out of the way and see if your brake light switch operates as it should. If it does, you've found your problem, then all you need to do is position that nuisance wire so that it doesn't interfere again.

Second Series · 09-05-2017, 02:56 PM

Is the speedometer cable interfering with the brake light switch? I had an issue with my brake lights staying on, I put a piece of rubber hose on the switch arm to shim it.

**mongocanfly** · 09-05-2017, 03:00 PM

I was seeing a spring in the last pic as well and went off on google looking for a assembly drawing...came back and looks like you have the answer...its there

**mr48chev** · 09-05-2017, 03:31 PM

Good photos and some good eyes work.

BS Stuff · 09-09-2017, 06:58 PM

That's great advice on adding the hose to the arm Second Series !! I have same issue - and even loaded spring with more tension. Not sure if aftermarket spring was causing problem being too weak. Also with new carpet - was tight around pedal shaft - stretched that a little too. Will try the hose on arm trick tomorrow !! Thanks !!

08-30-2017, 08:20 PM	#1
jglassjr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Conover Wi Posts: 45	Brake Lights I have a 59 that the brake lights dont shut off unless I hook my toe under the brake pedal and pull it up towards me... I see there is no spring to pull the brake pedal back in position, it looks like a cylinder that activates the drum brakes and there is a grease zerk where the arms meets... do I need to shoot a little grease in there or is there something else going on??

08-30-2017, 08:38 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,671	Re: Brake Lights by all means ..never hurts to grease it..but it may be as simple as adjusting your brake light switch

08-30-2017, 09:42 PM	#3
Foot Stomper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,252	Re: Brake Lights Grease it and replace the spring that pulls the pedal home. __________________ So when is this "Old enough to know better" supposed to kick in? My 1959 GMC build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=686989

08-31-2017, 12:06 AM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	Re: Brake Lights Yep exactly as Foot Stomper suggested Grease it where it needs greased and put the spring that HAS to be there on it. No spring also lets the weigh of the pedal assembly push against the piston on the master cylinder causing extra drag on the brakes. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

09-05-2017, 02:35 PM	#5
jglassjr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Conover Wi Posts: 45	Re: Brake Lights I appreciate the replies...with company for the holiday weekend, I was just able to look at it.... I see no spring or a place where one would even connect...... what am I missing? Attached Images

09-05-2017, 02:41 PM	#6
Russell Ashley Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 2,648	Re: Brake Lights Looks like the spring is there, maybe you just need the grease.

09-05-2017, 02:53 PM	#7
Foot Stomper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,252	Re: Brake Lights I see the spring is in position too. What I also see is what looks like a black wire/cable that to me seems to be pinched between the firewall and the brake light switch under the brake pedal arm. This would make the brake light switch stay on and with a toe hook of the pedal may pinch it enough for the brake lights to go off. Move that wire out of the way and see if your brake light switch operates as it should. If it does, you've found your problem, then all you need to do is position that nuisance wire so that it doesn't interfere again. __________________ So when is this "Old enough to know better" supposed to kick in? My 1959 GMC build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=686989

09-05-2017, 02:56 PM	#8
Second Series Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Tukwila Washington Posts: 391	Re: Brake Lights Is the speedometer cable interfering with the brake light switch? I had an issue with my brake lights staying on, I put a piece of rubber hose on the switch arm to shim it.

09-05-2017, 03:00 PM	#9
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,671	Re: Brake Lights I was seeing a spring in the last pic as well and went off on google looking for a assembly drawing...came back and looks like you have the answer...its there

09-05-2017, 03:31 PM	#10
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,711	Re: Brake Lights Good photos and some good eyes work. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

09-09-2017, 06:58 PM	#11
BS Stuff Registered User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Hampstead, NH Posts: 25	Re: Brake Lights That's great advice on adding the hose to the arm Second Series !! I have same issue - and even loaded spring with more tension. Not sure if aftermarket spring was causing problem being too weak. Also with new carpet - was tight around pedal shaft - stretched that a little too. Will try the hose on arm trick tomorrow !! Thanks !! Last edited by BS Stuff; 09-09-2017 at 07:00 PM. Reason: Added a little more detail.



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