Power brakes
02-08-2016, 06:26 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Power brakes
When I got the car about a year ago, I thought the brakes took a fair amount of pressure. My mechanic kind of shook his head and said; well, maybe they use more pressure than a normal car because you want to "feel" the braking action.
If I really hit them hard on solid pavement, I cannot lock the wheels, or hear the anti-locks clicking. That's a lot of pressure.
In normal driving, it really doesn't bother me, but I grew up in the era where our Chevelles and Camaro's didn't have power steering or brakes.
I am wondering if there is a way to validate whether or not the power booster is working?
If I really hit them hard on solid pavement, I cannot lock the wheels, or hear the anti-locks clicking. That's a lot of pressure.
In normal driving, it really doesn't bother me, but I grew up in the era where our Chevelles and Camaro's didn't have power steering or brakes.
I am wondering if there is a way to validate whether or not the power booster is working?
02-08-2016, 06:56 PM
#2
Pump the brake up then hold it. Then start the car I believe the pedal should go down a bit.
02-08-2016, 07:18 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Find another C4 and step on there brakes to see if there the same.
Been a while since I drove a C4, but I don't remember them being abnormally hard.
Been a while since I drove a C4, but I don't remember them being abnormally hard.
02-08-2016, 07:25 PM
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
02-09-2016, 09:50 AM
#6
Melting Slicks
My 86 coupe had a normal brake pedal feel. My 87 convertible's pedal is hard as a rock with almost no pedal travel till it starts braking. I think the booster is bad on my 87 so that may be the problem your having.
Also I know for a fact the anti-lock brakes do not work on my 87 either so that may have something to do with it. My 86 would do the test bit after being driven a few feet. My 87 doesn't ever do the test and the previous owner had removed the bulb from the anti-lock warning light socket
Also I know for a fact the anti-lock brakes do not work on my 87 either so that may have something to do with it. My 86 would do the test bit after being driven a few feet. My 87 doesn't ever do the test and the previous owner had removed the bulb from the anti-lock warning light socket
Last edited by crowz; 02-09-2016 at 09:51 AM.
02-09-2016, 09:50 AM
#7
Team Owner
Yours are not working correctly.
02-09-2016, 10:04 AM
#8
Melting Slicks
Well that's the funny part. It actually stops fine. Its just a super firm pedal.
I never would of known the 87's anti-lock part wasn't working if I hadn't of had the 86 before it and how it growls when it does the test part since the bulb had been removed.
I never would of known the 87's anti-lock part wasn't working if I hadn't of had the 86 before it and how it growls when it does the test part since the bulb had been removed.
02-09-2016, 05:08 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
When I got the car about a year ago, I thought the brakes took a fair amount of pressure. My mechanic kind of shook his head and said; well, maybe they use more pressure than a normal car because you want to "feel" the braking action.
If I really hit them hard on solid pavement, I cannot lock the wheels, or hear the anti-locks clicking. That's a lot of pressure.
In normal driving, it really doesn't bother me, but I grew up in the era where our Chevelles and Camaro's didn't have power steering or brakes.
I am wondering if there is a way to validate whether or not the power booster is working?
If I really hit them hard on solid pavement, I cannot lock the wheels, or hear the anti-locks clicking. That's a lot of pressure.
In normal driving, it really doesn't bother me, but I grew up in the era where our Chevelles and Camaro's didn't have power steering or brakes.
I am wondering if there is a way to validate whether or not the power booster is working?
There is something wrong you need very little pedal effort to get the ABS exited, the common problems are below.
Cracked booster listen for a hiss (also in car when pressing the pedal)
Wrong compound brake pads, the corvette needs high friction brake pads.
Air in the brake fluid, the pedal should feel firm not spongy.
Air in the ABS pump, now a lot of people have come across problems due to the ABS pump trapping air inside it.
Some have mentioned going on a closed road and really stamping on the brake pedal to activate the ABS, after doing this several times the abs pump has been cleared and it becomes easy to activate the ABS with minimal pressure.
A lot have problems bleeding the brakes and abs pump successfully.
look at the brake hoses are they good and not swollen, jack a wheel of the ground and rotate the tire as someone applies the brake pedal.
That will be the easiest way to check the caliper piston is not seized.
My brakes are great with dot 4 brake fluid that is flushed every 2 years, with hawk brake pads.
Good luck
02-09-2016, 05:23 PM
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
Hi
There is something wrong you need very little pedal effort to get the ABS exited, the common problems are below.
Cracked booster listen for a hiss (also in car when pressing the pedal)
Wrong compound brake pads, the corvette needs high friction brake pads.
Air in the brake fluid, the pedal should feel firm not spongy.
Air in the ABS pump, now a lot of people have come across problems due to the ABS pump trapping air inside it.
Some have mentioned going on a closed road and really stamping on the brake pedal to activate the ABS, after doing this several times the abs pump has been cleared and it becomes easy to activate the ABS with minimal pressure.
A lot have problems bleeding the brakes and abs pump successfully.
look at the brake hoses are they good and not swollen, jack a wheel of the ground and rotate the tire as someone applies the brake pedal.
That will be the easiest way to check the caliper piston is not seized.
My brakes are great with dot 4 brake fluid that is flushed every 2 years, with hawk brake pads.
Good luck
There is something wrong you need very little pedal effort to get the ABS exited, the common problems are below.
Cracked booster listen for a hiss (also in car when pressing the pedal)
Wrong compound brake pads, the corvette needs high friction brake pads.
Air in the brake fluid, the pedal should feel firm not spongy.
Air in the ABS pump, now a lot of people have come across problems due to the ABS pump trapping air inside it.
Some have mentioned going on a closed road and really stamping on the brake pedal to activate the ABS, after doing this several times the abs pump has been cleared and it becomes easy to activate the ABS with minimal pressure.
A lot have problems bleeding the brakes and abs pump successfully.
look at the brake hoses are they good and not swollen, jack a wheel of the ground and rotate the tire as someone applies the brake pedal.
That will be the easiest way to check the caliper piston is not seized.
My brakes are great with dot 4 brake fluid that is flushed every 2 years, with hawk brake pads.
Good luck
I have the receipts from the origional owner, but it doesn't say what brand brake pads. The front pads were $195.00 and the rear were $130.00. They are noted as Ceramic pads. I don't know if ceramic pads are considered high friction or not.