Mico Lever Lock Issue...

Ok, I need some tech advice for my brakes on the 71. I swapped the axles and hooked up the brake lines bled the brakes and all seemed well. Except, now my Mico Lever lock with not hold pressure? I have it set up on the front brakes, and it worked fine, before I switched axles, now I get nothing!

All lines are tight no leaks...I'm stumped.

 

My guess is there’s still an air bubble in the front somewhere? The rear is building good pressure to give firm pedal feel, but the front isn’t enough to lock. Since the lock is probably at or near the highest point, try cracking the line at the lock to bleed it there, then bleed the front wheels again. It’s worth a shot.

 

Did you crack the bleeder on the lock?

 

Yes, I have bled it all, numerous times.

 

I will try bleeding all again. I will do the Lever lock first, then the two front.

 

I just went through about 6oz of fluid, have a good pedal, but still no joy on the mico lock.

The next owner can mess with it.

 

Ok, have slept on it....and still have no idea what steps to take next.

Bleeding isn't working, rebuild kit didn't work (mico lock).

I am going to go through and check all the fittings, again. Other than that, I'm at a complete loss.

 

Your OP states it “won’t hold pressure” after you switched axles. Did you switch from drums to discs by any chance?

Try actuating the lock, then pumping the brakes hard a few times to build pressure. If I remember correctly(?), those locks work as a check valve. If your new front axle requires more fluid to lock the brakes than your old one did, maybe it’s just a matter of giving it more fluid with multiple pumps.

 

They are drum brakes, and I have pumped the dog out of them, with the lever engaged, still nothing.

 

Hmm.

I’m out of ideas from here that don’t start exploring a coincidental failure of the MC or other stabs in the dark.

 

I am at the same point...well, that and gasoline and a road flare!

 

Are you using a proportioning valve in the system? I had a similar problem. I run discs in the front and 11 inch drums in the rear. Once I did a brake job on the rear and proportioned more to the front problem solved.

 

If drum brakes double check the shoe to drum clearance. If this is ok then still air in the system somewhere is likely.

 

Well, purchased just a simple line lock and got it installed today. After bleeding everything again, I got it to hold. It doesn't hold as tight as the mico lock did, but it does hold it well enough.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Now I can get started on the Rocky Road YJ suspension, now that it finally all arrived!