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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 12:32 PM
  #1  
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Default Brake problem

Hi
I've got a 68 with manual brakes, and I was out for a drive yesterday
and was heading back to the house when all of sudden the car would bog down when ever I got off the gas, it felt like the brakes were on.
Tired it again and the same thing. I pulled off the road and noticed that the brake peddle was very stiff, hardly any movement. Tried pumping the brakes a few times and tired it again, she ran normal. Only thing still was the brake peddle was stiff. Got back to the house and got out to check to the rims to see if I could feel which one or ones were hot, all seemed the same, not warm at all. I know the emerg. brake was off, I don't use it after reading some of the comments on this forum. I've had her almost 2 months and up till yesterday no problems. I'm brand new as far as the learning curve goes on C3, so any help as to were to start looking would be greatly appreciated, or if anyone has had a similar problem.
Thanks

Sub C1
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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Sub C 1
Hi
I've got a 68 with manual brakes, and I was out for a drive yesterday
and was heading back to the house when all of sudden the car would bog down when ever I got off the gas, it felt like the brakes were on.
Tired it again and the same thing. I pulled off the road and noticed that the brake peddle was very stiff, hardly any movement. Tried pumping the brakes a few times and tired it again, she ran normal. Only thing still was the brake peddle was stiff. Got back to the house and got out to check to the rims to see if I could feel which one or ones were hot, all seemed the same, not warm at all. I know the emerg. brake was off, I don't use it after reading some of the comments on this forum. I've had her almost 2 months and up till yesterday no problems. I'm brand new as far as the learning curve goes on C3, so any help as to were to start looking would be greatly appreciated, or if anyone has had a similar problem.
Thanks

Sub C1

When were the brakes done last? Was it a long time ago? You should have peek at the rotors and check the calipers for leaking as standard preventative maintenance. As far as the hard pedal, that would normally be a bad booster. Since you don't have a booster, I'm confused, but think that maybe the plunger in the master is not returning and causing problems. May be time to rebuild the master. It's a cheap kit, $25 and only takes about an hour.
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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 02:45 PM
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Thanks for the info, I don't know when the brakes were done last, I'll try and find out from the guy i got her from. Will also check the things you mentioned. Thansk again for replying.

Sub C1
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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 02:54 PM
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Check the rubber lines. They will collapse on the inside and act like a check valve, holding the brakes on. Also check that the Master cylinder is clearing the vent hole.
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Old Dec 11, 2006 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Sub C 1
Thanks for the info, I don't know when the brakes were done last, I'll try and find out from the guy i got her from. Will also check the things you mentioned. Thansk again for replying.

Sub C1

Good luck, and let us know how it pans out.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 12:28 PM
  #6  
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Default Brake Problem Update

Just an update on the brake problem I asked about last month. Turns out it was the master cylinder that was the problem. Its getting rebuilt and I'm going to install new hoses at the same time. The ones on the car look pretty old, rather do it now then later. The rotors and calipers are fine. Again thanks for the suggestions on what to check.

Sub C1

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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Sub C 1
Just an update on the brake problem I asked about last month. Turns out it was the master cylinder that was the problem. Its getting rebuilt and I'm going to install new hoses at the same time. The ones on the car look pretty old, rather do it now then later. The rotors and calipers are fine. Again thanks for the suggestions on what to check.

Sub C1


You rebuilding it yourself or paying someone to? I only ask because it's VERY easy. The rebuild itself only takes about fifteen minutes. It takes longer to take the Master out, bench bleed it, and re-install it.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by wombvette
Check the rubber lines. They will collapse on the inside and act like a check valve, holding the brakes on. Also check that the Master cylinder is clearing the vent hole.


I've also seen this....
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 08:19 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by StickShiftCorvette


I've also seen this....

Me too. I had one on my car when I re-did the brakes.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 10:00 PM
  #10  
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Good thinking with getting new brake lines done at the same time. With a car that is 39 years old, you really dont know the history of what has been replaced. Face it...stopping is one of the key requirements of having a good time. Start keeping a list of parts that you replace so that you can remember the age of the components. It will also help you with noticing what else may need to be replaced along the way.

kdf
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Old Jan 5, 2007 | 10:31 AM
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A tip: Stop and get a really good set of brake line wrenches. The hard lines have a nasty habit of being very hard to work out, and they usually end up stripped or mangled. It's a lot better to spend the money on some penetrator and good wrenches then a new set of hard lines.
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