1950s 59 brake light adjustment?

[Paul]

Hello. Would anyone be able to tell me how to adjust the brake light in my 59? I can push the brake past the point where the tail brake lights shut off. Much appreciated.

[Julien Abrahams]

What do you mean exactly with "past the point where they shut off"? Do you mean that when you press the brake pedal, the brake lights come on and when you push harder, they go off again?
Theat would be an odd situation (perhapse a bad brake light switch? I would guess that the switch can be adjusted so that the lights come one if the pedal is moved more than say half an inch (in order to prevent the brake lights from staying on all the time).

[Paul]

Julien - what you describe is what happens. But I'm unsure how to adjust the brake switch.

[TJ Hopland]

Its it a mechanical switch on the pedal mechanism or a pressure switch somewhere in the hydraulic system?    If its a pressure switch try bleeding at the switch itself.  You could have an air bubble right at the switch that maybe burps out of the way depending on the pressure.

[Paul]

It's a mechanical switch at the brake pedal. I don't see a way to adjust it.

[Chopper1942]

Back then the switch was usually held in place with with two stamped metal nuts (3/4" if I remember correctly). The switch outer round housing that goes through the bracket is threaded. To adjust, you loosen the nuts and move the switch in or out against the stop on the brake pedal. Back the switch out until the plunger is extended and the brake lights come on. Now adjust the nuts until the brake light just go off. Adjust the switch in a little bit more. Lock the nuts and push the brake pedal down about a 1/4" to 1/2" and the lights should come on and when the pedal is released, the lights should go out.

If it does not have stamped nuts on either side of the switch, it probably has a clip with multiple fingers holding the switch in place.  If this is the case, just push or pull the switch to get your adjustment.  They can sometimes be hard to move.

[Julien Abrahams]

Perhapse a photo of the switch would help. I would also think that the mounting rod is threaded to be able to adjust the swtich.

[Paul]

It appears to be a single bolt and I dont see adjustment holes for the switch. That being said, is there a way to adjust the brake pedal up or down?

[Chopper1942]

Paul

The pedal is not adjustable.  It is fixed in position by the pedal pivot bolt that passes through the pedal bracket.

Below is an copy of the removal, installation, and adjustment of the stop-light switch from a 59 Cadillac manual. Hopes this helps. If more questions, take some pictures of the switch and bracket and we will try to help you out.

Removal, Installation and Adjustment of Stoplight Switch

Removal 

l. Disconnect two lead wires from head of stop�-light switch
2. Remove locking nut from rear of stoplight switch.
3. Remove stoplight switch.

Installation

l.   Connect lead wires to switch.
2.   Position switch on pedal bracket flange.
3.   Install retaining nut.
4.   Check operation of stoplight.

Adjustment

Adjust switch action so stoplight is on when brake pedal is depressed 3/8 to 1/2 of the dis�tance between released position and fully applied position.
Loosen screw that holds stoplight switch and rotate switch fore or aft until above condition is obtained. The switch lock nut must be securely tightened to prevent loss of adjustment.

[Paul]

Thanks everyone- the bolt is adjustable. I loosened it with a 7/16 wrench and pushed it back toward the firewall a bit. A slight adjustment seems to have solved the issue. Thank you for your help.

[Julien Abrahams]

Great. The importance of having brake lights that work correctly I re discovered yesterday. There was a guy in front of me with a '71 Chevy C10. He stopped but his brake lights did not come on. I had to pay attention and suddenly brake a lot harder than usual to avoid hitting him in the back. By coincidence he pulled over at the next gas station where I could talk to him and tell him about the not working brake lights. He was unaware.After a quick peek under the dash I found a loose brake light switch. Unfortunately I did not have any tools with me, so we could not fix it on the spot, but he would address the issue the same day. Non-working brake lights can be quite dangerous.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Non-working brake lights can be quite dangerous. 

And against the law in all Countries.

Bruce.