Brake Gurus?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: I got you a puppy!
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?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
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From: Fayetteville NC
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
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
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
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: I got you a puppy!
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
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.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
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.
