Brakes!

Topic: Brakes! (Read 3181 times) previous topic - next topic

Brakes!

January 19, 2005, 07:52:49 PM

Something is up with my braking system. It was operating normally when I left the house this morning for a little while. I was slowing down to stop and the pedal first felt normal but then became really hard and I could not push it down to stop. Normally the pedal goes somewhat close to the floor to stop but this time I could not push it any further than half way down. I coasted into a parking lot and as I stopped, the pedal was just as hard. I turned the car off, started it again, and pumped the pedal. It felt normal for the first few pumps but then got really hard again. The brakes have not been touched in a while and when I checked everything, the hoses seemed all ok. They have worked fine and have given me no problems or signs that this would happen. Could I have a bad brake booster or master cylinder? To my knowledge the car is not leaking any fluid. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

Re: Brakes!

Reply #1 – January 19, 2005, 08:04:01 PM

it sounds like u could be compressing water somehow. was the system serviced lately? if so where? and when?

Re: Brakes!

Reply #2 – January 19, 2005, 08:04:22 PM

check the vacum lines for the brake booster and it could also be a bad seal on the master cylider. I would check those first. If you have any doubt about your master cylinder just get a new one. mine was 10 buck counting my old one as a core charge.

Re: Brakes!

Reply #3 – January 19, 2005, 08:45:56 PM

If you buy a new one..but a new one and not a rebuilt unless you just have no choice. You're on borrowed time with rebuilt ones.

I had one fail completely on me coming onto an off ramp at about 70 mph or so....with a lighted intersection at the end. I managed to downshift it fast enough and scrub off enough speed to be able to make a "quick" turn at the end into traffic. I took it back (it was maybe 4 mos old) and the guys behind the counter just shrugged....

Re: Brakes!

Reply #4 – January 19, 2005, 10:42:23 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll check my lines and bleed the system incase water got in it. If that still doesn't work I will replace my master cylinder and see where that goes.

Re: Brakes!

Reply #5 – January 19, 2005, 11:49:56 PM

even if there is water I dont think that they would make the pedal feel hard.

Re: Brakes!

Reply #6 – January 20, 2005, 01:07:36 AM

i HIGHLY doubt theres water in the line, or a master cylinder problem personally

usually, a master cylinder problem would be the brake pedal fading to the floor, or not building much pressure, or not building pressure at all

to me it sounds like a brake booster

Re: Brakes!

Reply #7 – January 20, 2005, 01:45:43 AM

that is what I thought on my car but the new master cylidner fixed it and i had the exact same symptons

Re: Brakes!

Reply #8 – January 20, 2005, 08:15:49 AM

Sounds like a vacuum problem, check the line running to the booster. :)

Re: Brakes!

Reply #9 – January 20, 2005, 09:18:47 AM

question. Since there are a few possibilities and I may replace everything anyway, would it be worth while converting the rear drums to disc and updating the entire system. It would be nice to be able to stop better but what all would be involved?
Could i use stock disc brakes, calipers, etc. off a Turbo Coupe?
run new brake lines e-brake cables and get a larger booster and master cylinder?
I read the info on coolcats about the turbo coupe axle conversion, but is it possible to do the brakes only and not change the rear?
Not saying I'm going to run right out and do it, but I'm just curious if its worth it.

Re: Brakes!

Reply #10 – January 20, 2005, 09:32:48 AM

Yes, it's possible. The main reason people change the whole rear is to get better gears, but you could just change the brakes.

Re: Brakes!

Reply #11 – January 20, 2005, 12:21:29 PM

only thing is the caliper brackets on a TC are spot welded onto the rear

i wonder if its possible to use SN95 calipers and brackets, with TC rotors?

Re: Brakes!

Reply #12 – January 20, 2005, 12:29:24 PM

Just the groan brakets are, the caliper brackets unbolt. Either don't use the groan brakets, or grind the welds off and clamp them on, like the Mustangs. :)