C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Brake Gurus?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-27-2005, 05:12 PM
  #1  
zzyzx
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
zzyzx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2003
Location: I got you a puppy!
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Brake Gurus?

I'm stumped. Rebuilt all my calipers with VBP O-rings and new master cylinder. No problems for two years. Yesterday, pedal goes to the floor (Scary Chit) No fluid in front circuit. Bleed system, check for leaks...None. Go for a drive today, brakes are all good. Suddenly, pedal is hard (Will not move more than 1/4 inch) and feels like no front brakes. (Another scary moment) Plenty of fluid. Any suggestions?
Old 11-27-2005, 07:34 PM
  #2  
Perfomer
Instructor
 
Perfomer's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2002
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Master cylinder leaking a rear seal going into braker booster . Fluid being sucked into motor via vacuum .
Old 11-27-2005, 07:44 PM
  #3  
zzyzx
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
zzyzx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2003
Location: I got you a puppy!
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Why would that cause the rigid brake pedal?
Old 11-27-2005, 10:03 PM
  #4  
KALAWAY
Drifting
 
KALAWAY's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2004
Location: Fayetteville NC
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I have a '75 and my brake pedal became very hard in the last two days. Hardly no brakes. As I was looking at the master cylinder and brake booster, I saw a hose from the booster to the carb. Why do I need brake fluid going to my carburator? You guessed it. I"m not a gearhead, but I've learned a lot on this Forum.
Old 11-29-2005, 02:31 PM
  #5  
VBP
Safety Car
 
VBP's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2002
Location: St Petersburg FL
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
St. Jude Donor '07,'13

Default

zzyzx,
Sounds like a definite master cylinder failure. The missing fluid from the front circuit had to go somewhere. If the calipers are not loosing fluid, one or more seals in the master cylinder probably failed and pushed the fluid to the other circuit. Normally, a super hard pedal is a sign of the booster failing but the system will have a similar hard pedal with no fluid in a brake circuit. Hope this helps.

KALAWAY,
The hose from the booster to the carb supplies vacuum from the engine to the booster. If the booster is leaking vacuum, you will have a very hard brake pedal and it will be virtually impossible to stop the car. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Alan G.
Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
http://www.VBandP.com
800-237-9991
Old 11-30-2005, 02:41 AM
  #6  
zzyzx
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
zzyzx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2003
Location: I got you a puppy!
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by VBP
zzyzx,
Sounds like a definite master cylinder failure. The missing fluid from the front circuit had to go somewhere. If the calipers are not loosing fluid, one or more seals in the master cylinder probably failed and pushed the fluid to the other circuit. Normally, a super hard pedal is a sign of the booster failing but the system will have a similar hard pedal with no fluid in a brake circuit. Hope this helps.

KALAWAY,
The hose from the booster to the carb supplies vacuum from the engine to the booster. If the booster is leaking vacuum, you will have a very hard brake pedal and it will be virtually impossible to stop the car. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Alan G.
Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
http://www.VBandP.com
800-237-9991

Yes it does. Thanks for your advice, and the great products you supply. The O-ring kit was yours, not the master c. I always thought an empty circuit (Especially front) gave a push-to-floor-feel. How do I diagnose if it is booster, or master cylinder? After two white-knuckle moments, I am gun-shy.
Old 11-30-2005, 06:55 AM
  #7  
KALAWAY
Drifting
 
KALAWAY's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2004
Location: Fayetteville NC
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by zzyzx
Yes it does. Thanks for your advice, and the great products you supply. The O-ring kit was yours, not the master c. I always thought an empty circuit (Especially front) gave a push-to-floor-feel. How do I diagnose if it is booster, or master cylinder? After two white-knuckle moments, I am gun-shy.
I was told to start the car, then remove the hose from the booster to the intake. Put your hand over the end of the hose. If you have good suction, then the booster is bad.(?). I had suction.

Get notified of new replies

To Brake Gurus?




Quick Reply: Brake Gurus?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:14 PM.