brake problem
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach Florida
brake problem
I have to keep bleeding my brakes on my 81. I replaced the master a while back. I also can smell brake fluid under the hood after a long ride.I can't see aany leaks and now the car pulls to the left when I step on the Brakes. Any suggestions before I replace the front calipers.Thanks..MIKE
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 140
From: Western New York
You say you're not leaking fluid, but if you can smell it, it's coming out somewhere. Start following all the lines on down to each caliper and find out where it's leaking. It could be very slightly leaking at a caliper piston but not enough to show anything on the floor. Pull those front wheels and start checking until you find the source of your fluid smell. Good luck!
Duane
Duane
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
I have a pull to the right upon braking and have checked numerious things - including alignment, sticking and/or leaking calipers, bled the system numerious times, contaminated pads 
. I assume a "bad" rear caliper could cause a pull too. I'm interested to see where your problem is.
. I assume a "bad" rear caliper could cause a pull too. I'm interested to see where your problem is.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
I have to keep bleeding my brakes on my 81. I replaced the master a while back. I also can smell brake fluid under the hood after a long ride.I can't see aany leaks and now the car pulls to the left when I step on the Brakes. Any suggestions before I replace the front calipers.Thanks..MIKE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Many times a pull to one side or the other is due to the rubber hoses swelling shut on the inside. They will look good on the outside but can be collapsed. If it pulls left then the right hose may be the culprit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Patience, my friend. Corvettes require, no, demand it. They can be your best friend or worst enemy. You have a leak somewhere and it should not be too difficult to find. You have received good advice here.
If you are sure the master cylinder is good (the seal around the cap and the MC itself), then start from there and follow the lines out through the proportioning valve to each front wheel. Check the hard lines at the proportioning valve and out to the flexible hoses. Check the hoses at each wheel. Check the brake pads. If they are wet or simply damp looking your caliper is leaking around the piston seals. Remove and replace with new or rebuilt parts and fresh pads. There isn't much left to look at.
Just for grins and giggles, pull the big vacuum hose loose at the brake booster and see if it is oily inside. Even a fresh MC could have a leaky or damaged seal.
Good luck!
If you are sure the master cylinder is good (the seal around the cap and the MC itself), then start from there and follow the lines out through the proportioning valve to each front wheel. Check the hard lines at the proportioning valve and out to the flexible hoses. Check the hoses at each wheel. Check the brake pads. If they are wet or simply damp looking your caliper is leaking around the piston seals. Remove and replace with new or rebuilt parts and fresh pads. There isn't much left to look at.
Just for grins and giggles, pull the big vacuum hose loose at the brake booster and see if it is oily inside. Even a fresh MC could have a leaky or damaged seal.
Good luck!
