|
C4 Open Discussion General and technical C4 Corvette discussion - ownership, maintenance, repairs, modifications, tuning |
|
Share | Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
01-23-2011, 5:28pm | #1 | ||||||
Barn Stall Owner #25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lotta Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 8,204
Thanks: 1,517
Thanked 1,217 Times in 817 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $20496850
|
Brakes
My car (1992 auto, 160K miles), at start up, and for a while after that, has a brake pedal problem. It's not the pedal really and I think I know what the diagnosis is probably going to be, but I wanted some opinions. The pedal will go nearly to the floor and I suspect the brake booster is going out. You can pump it up but it will lose pressure quickly. Once it's good and warmed up it will hold pressure pretty well. I had Hawk HPS pads installed in June of 2008 and have maybe 2000 miles on them. There is plenty of brake fluid in the resevoir and the problem started about six months ago. I do not know how to do a brake job so your dealing with a novice here. I have done things like replaced the injectors and I always change my own oil and air filter. I want to tackle bigger projects like changing my heater core, which it needs, and I have an MSD opti and wires ready for when they go. My car has the original opti on it now. So please cut me some slack.
|
||||||
01-23-2011, 5:48pm | #2 | ||||||
Barn Stall Owner #25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lotta Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 8,204
Thanks: 1,517
Thanked 1,217 Times in 817 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $20496850
|
Shit, wrong forum. Yo, RedLS1 - can you move this to C4 Tech?
|
||||||
01-23-2011, 5:59pm | #3 | ||||||
Barn Stall Owner #46
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 6,858
Thanks: 3,537
Thanked 2,700 Times in 1,214 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $4309769
|
It sounds like you have air in the lines. Air compresses, liquid doesn't...thus the soft pedal. I would start by fully bleeding the system and in doing so, changing your brake fluid.
Has the master cylinder been off the car? If so, it will need to bled separately. If not, pick up a couple of big cans of brake fluid, a container to catch it in, a six pack of beer, a helper, and a mighty vac to siphon out the master cylinder. Siphon out the master cylinder first, and wipe it clean once it's empty. Refill with fresh fluid. Now....there are a number of ways you can do this....speed bleeders, mighty vac, etc....but I prefer to just open the bleeders and have a helper press the pedal while I watch. Start with the wheel that is furthest from the master cylinder (right rear). Open the bleeder, and have your buddy press the pedal to the floor and hold it. Tighten the bleeder, and then have him release the pedal. You will most likely see dirty fluid and air bubbles.....bubbles are bad. Continue doing this until you have clear fluid and NO bubbles. You should be able to finish beer #1. Once it runs clear and has no more air bubbles, cap it up and move to the next closest wheel (left rear). Repeat on this wheel, opening and consuming beer #2. Once it runs clear and has no air, cap it up. Don't forget to keep checking that master cylinder. It may take several cycles at each wheel to clear the bubbles and old fluid. Next wheel, right front, and beer #3. After you check the master cylinder and refill, hit the bathroom....you're getting close to being done. Finish off with the left front, refill the master, and cap it off. You should now have a firm pedal. If not, something is wrong in the system and needs to be addressed ASAP. |
||||||
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Frizlefrak For This Useful Post: |
01-23-2011, 6:03pm | #4 | ||||||
C4 Mod
Barn Raising II,III
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cincinnati, OH ....ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑBE....
Posts: 13,894
Thanks: 1,314
Thanked 7,748 Times in 3,448 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $19752494
|
|
||||||
The Following User Says Thank You to RedLS1GTO For This Useful Post: |
01-23-2011, 7:05pm | #5 | ||||||
Barn Stall Owner #46
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 6,858
Thanks: 3,537
Thanked 2,700 Times in 1,214 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $4309769
|
I should have put in my post to watch the fluid level in the master cylinder very closely and don't let it get low. If it runs dry, we start all over AND have to bleed the master.
|
||||||
01-23-2011, 7:19pm | #6 | |||||||
Vette Barn Crew
|
Quote:
None the less... A brake fluid flush is inexpensive, NOT very difficult, and can only do good I say give it a shot! |
|||||||
01-23-2011, 7:24pm | #7 | ||||||
Vette Barn Crew
|
Also to add to friz's great explination! When you mighty vac the Master do not suck alllll of the fluid out... because like he said then you need to bleed the master cyl. and that can be annoying...
I personally prefer to gravity bleed majority of the old fluid first then top of the master with new fluid! Gravity bleeding is as simple as opening the farthest bleeder valve (RR) and just letting the fluid flow via the force of gravity... It will take time but during this time you can enjoy 1 or 2 of those beers friz mentioned |
||||||
01-23-2011, 7:44pm | #8 | ||||||
A Real Barner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,030
Thanks: 1,992
Thanked 1,418 Times in 706 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $882805
|
A helpful hint: Take a 2' piece of 1/4" clear tubing (like on fish tanks) and press it on the bleeder. Then take the other end and run it to a clear plastic bottle. This way your fluid will have a place to go with out making a mess and you can watch the tubing for when the fluid clears up and the bubbles stop.
|
||||||
The Following User Says Thank You to C4fan For This Useful Post: |
01-23-2011, 7:53pm | #9 | ||||||
Barn Stall Owner #46
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 6,858
Thanks: 3,537
Thanked 2,700 Times in 1,214 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $4309769
|
See? Told ya this group knew their stuff.
|
||||||
01-23-2011, 9:15pm | #10 | ||||||
Barn Stall Owner #25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lotta Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 8,204
Thanks: 1,517
Thanked 1,217 Times in 817 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $20496850
|
Can someone show me what a "bleeder" looks like on a 1992? I have never messed with brakes in my life. What do I do? Just take the tire off or do I have to remove something else?
|
||||||
01-23-2011, 9:19pm | #11 | |||||||
Barn Stall Owner #25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lotta Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 8,204
Thanks: 1,517
Thanked 1,217 Times in 817 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $20496850
|
Quote:
|
|||||||
01-23-2011, 9:42pm | #12 | ||||||
A Real Barner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,030
Thanks: 1,992
Thanked 1,418 Times in 706 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $882805
|
|
||||||
The Following User Says Thank You to C4fan For This Useful Post: |
01-23-2011, 10:22pm | #13 | ||||||
Vette Barn Crew
|
Okay then start with bleeding!
Also another hint esp. with a car with as many miles as yours! I would use some sort of penetrating oil (PB blaster or freeze off) to SOAK the bleeders before you try to "crack" them free. AS WELL! I would FIRST use a 6 point socket (I believe 10mm), Then for ease of use, just use a standard style wrench. Just a couple more tips for you |
||||||
The Following User Says Thank You to drmrman For This Useful Post: |
01-24-2011, 8:46am | #14 | |||||||
Barn Stall Owner #25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lotta Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 8,204
Thanks: 1,517
Thanked 1,217 Times in 817 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $20496850
|
Quote:
|
|||||||
01-24-2011, 8:51am | #15 | ||||||
C4 Mod
Barn Raising II,III
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cincinnati, OH ....ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑBE....
Posts: 13,894
Thanks: 1,314
Thanked 7,748 Times in 3,448 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $19752494
|
I go with cheap American beer (Bud Light) when working on the cars. That big dollar stuff just doesn't seem to fit in when it comes to smashed knuckles, dirty hands, and cussing.
|
||||||
01-24-2011, 9:31am | #16 | ||||||
A Real Barner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 4,030
Thanks: 1,992
Thanked 1,418 Times in 706 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $882805
|
|
||||||
01-24-2011, 6:13pm | #17 | ||||||
Vette Barn Crew
|
Not to change the subject at hand because beer is EXTREMELY important... I personaly am a Yuengling fan for the cheap stuff... and a Coorslight fan for the cheaper stuff But that being said...
Does the pedal feel like you have no power assist... As in No power brakes...? When you push down on the pedal do you have to push extremely hard for the car to stop? If so that may be the booster... Because if it were air in your lines... The squishy or low pedal would not go away after time... |
||||||
01-25-2011, 8:28am | #18 | ||||||
Barn Stall Owner #25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lotta Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 8,204
Thanks: 1,517
Thanked 1,217 Times in 817 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $20496850
|
I have to come clean about something. I don't drink beer. I love Crown and Coke though. I am not to sure I should start on the CnC while messing with my brakes though.
|
||||||
01-25-2011, 2:39pm | #19 | ||||||
A Real Barner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Over Here
Posts: 3,038
Thanks: 1,948
Thanked 536 Times in 294 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $4969152
|
|
||||||
01-29-2011, 11:39am | #20 | |||||||
Barn Stall Owner #25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Lotta Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 8,204
Thanks: 1,517
Thanked 1,217 Times in 817 Posts
Gameroom Barn Bucks: $20496850
|
Quote:
|
|||||||
|
|
Support the Barn: |
Download the Mobile App; |
Follow us on Facebook: |
||