Brake Problem

Topic: Brake Problem (Read 1023 times) previous topic - next topic

Brake Problem

February 11, 2008, 07:23:27 PM

I have an 88 Tbird Sport.

The other night i was getting ready to stop and my brake peddal hit the floor, i had no brakes at all, i got lucky and coasted to a stop.

It turns out i blew a flex hose in the front end, so i had both replaced. Arent these cars suppose to maintain the rear brakes?

Should the peddle hit the floor with a blown flex hose? My mechanic said he had some brake when he brought the car into the garage, and perhaps i didnot push hard enough.

Also my e cables have long since been seased, how hard is it to replace all the cables???

Jeff

Brake Problem

Reply #1 – February 11, 2008, 07:45:10 PM

These cars have dual circut master cylinders,so with problems with the front brake system the back should still work. You should have a good look at the master cylinder and the set up and condition of the rear brakes.
Emergency brakes are not that bad to work on.

Brake Problem

Reply #2 – February 12, 2008, 11:28:48 PM

Actually, we have a single un-divided plastic resevoir that the front and rear draw from at the same time. A dual circut will have a divided resevoir. I blew a rear hose once and had to use my mechanical E-brake to get the car home. You will drain more fluid with every application of the brakes until it's gone and you have no brakes (empty res=no brakes). A leak at any corner will drain that resevoir with enough brake applications. I was lucky because the fluid was spewing onto the exhaust so I saw smoke at the same time my brakes started to feel "squishy". I got out and looked before I lost all brakes.

Brake Problem

Reply #3 – February 16, 2008, 06:38:52 PM

I never noticed his car was an 88,mine is an 84 and the resivior is split front/ back. I just put new front brake lines on the front and never lost a drop from the rear.

Brake Problem

Reply #4 – February 16, 2008, 09:50:22 PM

Even thought it's a split master the car won't stop. I have a 84 with a leaking caliper in left front (changing it tomorrow ) and the car will not stop for anything right to the floor!! Rears will lock up some and slid. Very hazardous!!

I had to stop quick from about 25MPH and the ass end spun around and tapped guard rail with RF. I knew the brakes were iffy and had room between traffic to stop before hitting anyone but it was close. No damage but must have looked wild to the cars behind me.

Lesson learned>>> Keep brakes in top working order front and back or don't drive it!!

Anyone know about after market front calipers and rotor for the 84 Bird? Mustang stuff?? I'm going to look some more in this forum and see what pops up?

Have fun and remember KEEP BRAKES WORKING!! I Know first hand I could be planning body work right now ($1000+) instead of a 15 min brake fix ($20)!!

Ken

Brake Problem

Reply #5 – February 17, 2008, 06:54:06 PM

check out coolcats.net and look in the tech section. Lots of info. Unless you only want to upgrade to 11" brakes in front from a turbo coupe, your stuck with mostly mustang stuff.

I drove my old 86 cougar home using only the emergency brake over 20 miles. That was some fun times.