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Austin A40 Devon pickup
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Miken



Joined: 24 Dec 2012
Posts: 544

PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ha!
Good one.
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Miken



Joined: 24 Dec 2012
Posts: 544

PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I decided to follow Keiths advice and fit the new brake light high up.
I was going to fit it at the top of the cab rear window inside the cab but realised that because the window is immediately behind my head, fitting a lamp there would seriously obstruct my rear mirror view.
So i have compromised and fitted it externally as can be seen here.
Just been for a drive and stopped in a traffic queue and I look in the mirror to see the woman in the car behind pointing and mouthing something about my brake lights not working!!
I pull over and yes they are defiantely working because I can now stand outside and reach inside the cab to the pedal with my foot and observe my new led strip light flashing on.
However,
Now I think the problem lies with the electrical pressure switch because I realise im having to have to stand on the pedal quite hard to make the lights come on, so they arent operating under gentle to moderate braking.
Which was probably the problem all along.

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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maybe an air bubble just before the pressure switch. Sometimes can be a problem if it is mounted high in the pipework.
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Miken



Joined: 24 Dec 2012
Posts: 544

PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 6:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, maybe a bubble.
Although the switch screws into the master cylinder.
Which is mounted under the floor at the lowest point.
Just ordered a new switch from the O/C.
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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 9:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have heard of "old timers" curing the problem by holding a lighted match/s or a lighter under the switch while someone quickly and repeatedly pumps the brake pedal. I have never tried it and never seen it done.
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Ray White



Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6282
Location: Derby

PostPosted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Peter_L wrote:
I have heard of "old timers" curing the problem by holding a lighted match/s or a lighter under the switch while someone quickly and repeatedly pumps the brake pedal. I have never tried it and never seen it done.


Perhaps take out the 303 ammo from the back before you do that! Laughing
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norustplease



Joined: 11 Apr 2011
Posts: 779
Location: Lancashire

PostPosted: Fri Sep 03, 2021 8:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I had this problem with the Citroen, only realised when the driver of the car behind me on a run commented that I appeared to have driven most of the route without use of the brakes. After swapping switches (mounted alongside the master cylinder via a tee piece) to no avail, I fitted a mechanical switch to the pedal. This can be adjusted to give the degree of sensitivity required.
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV
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Keith D



Joined: 16 Oct 2008
Posts: 1127
Location: Upper Swan, Western Australia

PostPosted: Fri Sep 03, 2021 11:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mike,

Interesting to read that your brake light switch is a pressure switch mounted in the hydraulic line. My car has a mechanical switch connected to a rod in the bisector unit.

Keith
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1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution
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Miken



Joined: 24 Dec 2012
Posts: 544

PostPosted: Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Keith D wrote:
Mike,

Interesting to read that your brake light switch is a pressure switch mounted in the hydraulic line. My car has a mechanical switch connected to a rod in the bisector unit.

Keith


Hello Keith,
the switch screws into the back of the master cylinder.
My car is a bit later than yours (1954) and so has 4 wheel hydraulic brakes. I think you have hydro front and mechanical rear.

My new brake light switch arrived today so went out to fit it.
It was all going well, I bled all 4 cylinders and gave the pedal a final push to check for feel.
I looked underneath and there was fluid leaking out the front of the master cylinder so clearly I have disturbed something.
B@!!+ks !!
So cylinder out and I can feel a ridge in the bore and some other marks.
I could faff about with a cylinder hone but instead I'm sending it off on Monday for an exchange item with a stainless steel liner.
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Peter_L



Joined: 10 Apr 2008
Posts: 2680
Location: New Brunswick. Canada.

PostPosted: Sat Sep 04, 2021 8:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Miken wrote:

B@!!+ks !!


Such is life, as one door shuts, another closes...
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Bitumen Boy



Joined: 26 Jan 2012
Posts: 1733
Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire

PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Miken wrote:
Keith D wrote:
Mike,

Interesting to read that your brake light switch is a pressure switch mounted in the hydraulic line. My car has a mechanical switch connected to a rod in the bisector unit.

Keith


Hello Keith,
the switch screws into the back of the master cylinder.
My car is a bit later than yours (1954) and so has 4 wheel hydraulic brakes. I think you have hydro front and mechanical rear.

My new brake light switch arrived today so went out to fit it.
It was all going well, I bled all 4 cylinders and gave the pedal a final push to check for feel.
I looked underneath and there was fluid leaking out the front of the master cylinder so clearly I have disturbed something.
B@!!+ks !!
So cylinder out and I can feel a ridge in the bore and some other marks.
I could faff about with a cylinder hone but instead I'm sending it off on Monday for an exchange item with a stainless steel liner.


Better to find out the master cylinder is past its best while spannering at home than out on the road when you need to stop, surely? Yes it's annoying but it could be so much worse Smile
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Miken



Joined: 24 Dec 2012
Posts: 544

PostPosted: Wed Sep 22, 2021 8:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

After repairing the the brakes Ive been driving the truck round to some local spray shops to get a price for a proper top coat of paint to cover up all the patchwork of repairs Ive done.
I found a small shop about a mile away from home with 2 guys who are happy for me to drive it there then let me do all the various dismantling, remove the glass, lights, door handles etc.
This sounds perfect and will help to keep the cost down.
They are quite busy but im booked in for November.
This gives me time to do a final bit of bodywork on the rear load area in what is possibly the last warm days of summer this week.
To remove the back end, disconnect the wiring, disconnect the fuel pipe undo 4 bolts and my neighbour and I were able lift it off and flip it upside down.
I was surprised to realise that the fuel tank is not part of the chassis/cab assembly and is attached to the rear load area.
Hence the 2 bits of 2x2" that I have used to temporarily support it so I can drive it in and out of the garage.
The chassis all looks in excellent condition.
Ive done some welding and lead loading to the front part where there were a couple of splits, and a few small areas in the back wings.










top wing finished lower one wants a bit more work.
Its good that you can add a bit of filler to the top of epoxy primer

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badhuis



Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 1390
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 11:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good progress Miken!
Why oh why did Austin not lengthen the chassis behind the cab? An extra meter would have made the bed so much more practical.
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment
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Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks great, wish I still had mine, probably my favourite alongside the E83W of the 50s British pickups.

RJ
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Rootes75



Joined: 30 Apr 2013
Posts: 3785
Location: The Somerset Levels

PostPosted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A friend of ours, who has passed away now had an A40 pick-up the same colour as this. He was down in Wells, Somerset.
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