68 brake problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
68 brake problem
I first posted this on the Tec and Perf. forum then tryed to move it here because I think it was on the wrong forum. Unable to move it so I am reposting it here with some changes. -- Both front brakes locked up after a hour drive through three small towns. I normally have a very "soft" brake pedel. I noticed the pedel was getting harder and harder. About 6 miles out of town I could smell the pads getting hot. Stoped and the pads were "smokeing" hot. Pushing on the pedel was like pushing on a large rock. It would not move. Rear were ok. When I tryed to move the car the rear wheels would spin. I seperated the MC from the power booster about 1/4" and the pedel could go to the floor . But when I put the MC back on the front breakes were still locked up. Unbolted the MC all the way and just started the nuts on the booster just to hold MC in place. This time the brakes released and drove home (slowly and carefully). At home I reseated the MC 100% with the booster and the brakes are working fine. Would appreciate your thoughts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Don't overlook brake hoses.
Had a car once that seemed like the caliper was locking up and not releasing. Went through several calipers until I realized it had to be a bad hose. The hose looked perfect on the outside but had a piece of the lining break lose on the inside and hanging down worked like a one way valve. It would let the brake fluid in to lock the brakes but wouldn't let the brake fluid return when you let your foot off of the brake, causing the brake to lock and wear out pads on that caliper. Put a new hose on it and never had a problem since. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Check those first. They will look fine from the outside but the inside may be a different story. They swell, locking the fluid int he calipers.Get some good S/S braided one and replace all four.
They may not be your real problem but if they have never been replaced it's a good preventative maintenance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
I just had the same problem on my daily driver (not a Corvette)
I could smell the pads burning and feel the wheels dragging.
So I replaced the calipers, problem still was there. I replaced the rubber hoses, problem cured instantly. I didn't need the calipers. I have heard of this brake hose problem over the years about hoses looking good on outside but swelled shut on the inside sort of like hardening of the arteries in your body, but now I have experienced it.
Replacing the hoses is a quick and cheap remedy.
Kurt
I could smell the pads burning and feel the wheels dragging.
So I replaced the calipers, problem still was there. I replaced the rubber hoses, problem cured instantly. I didn't need the calipers. I have heard of this brake hose problem over the years about hoses looking good on outside but swelled shut on the inside sort of like hardening of the arteries in your body, but now I have experienced it.
Replacing the hoses is a quick and cheap remedy.
Kurt
