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Brake Problems?

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Old May 29, 2007 | 05:48 PM
  #1  
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Default Brake Problems?

Hi everyone. I searched the forums for hours yesterday and today with no luck on a problem similar enough to mine to offer anyhelp so I am hopeful someone out there has an idea. Here is my quandry:

bought car in January from dealer (1987 L98) with new brake pads installed at dealer. Brakes have worked great until last week. If I hit the brake pedal with even a little force, brakes engage nicely but if I let off just a little bit and re-engage, pedal goes soft and to the floor. If I slowly engage the brakes instead of jabbing the pedal, they are soft and mushy. Just started happening which is the wierd part. I checked the pads & rotors and they are in GREAT condition. Figured had air in the lines but why just now? Bled them today with no improvement. No brake fluid leaks anywhere so not sure how to fix this problem. Any ideas?

Thanks so much everyone.
David
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Old May 29, 2007 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by madmachines
Hi everyone. I searched the forums for hours yesterday and today with no luck on a problem similar enough to mine to offer anyhelp so I am hopeful someone out there has an idea. Here is my quandry:

bought car in January from dealer (1987 L98) with new brake pads installed at dealer. Brakes have worked great until last week. If I hit the brake pedal with even a little force, brakes engage nicely but if I let off just a little bit and re-engage, pedal goes soft and to the floor. If I slowly engage the brakes instead of jabbing the pedal, they are soft and mushy. Just started happening which is the wierd part. I checked the pads & rotors and they are in GREAT condition. Figured had air in the lines but why just now? Bled them today with no improvement. No brake fluid leaks anywhere so not sure how to fix this problem. Any ideas?

Thanks so much everyone.
David
I am not a Vette expert, but the last vehicle I had where the brake pedal went to the floor like you describe had a bad master cylinder.
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Old May 29, 2007 | 08:23 PM
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Default Bad Master Cyl.

That sounds like the master cyl. to me too. If you hit it hard, the cup pushing the fluid is seating to the cylinder wall and holding pressure. But if you push easy, the fluid is flowing around the edges of it and down goes the pedal.
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Old May 29, 2007 | 08:58 PM
  #4  
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From: North Carolina
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Originally Posted by Raydarlove
I am not a Vette expert, but the last vehicle I had where the brake pedal went to the floor like you describe had a bad master cylinder.
Just a tip. Dont go cheap and get a remanufactured one. I did get a reman. from NAPA and it went out. Same with autozone brake boosters.
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Old May 29, 2007 | 09:02 PM
  #5  
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Default Thanks!

Hey guys, just wanted to say thanks!! I was leaning that way myself but after some of the C5 forum threads, started to think maybe sucking in air on a caliper seal somewhere as remote a possibility that might be. Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it. I should have the new one on tomorrow and good to go by thursday. Have a great night.

David
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Old May 31, 2007 | 08:31 PM
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Default

I am having same kind of problems.
It has been two things: braking fluidhas boiled or was too old , probably a lot of humidity in there.

And second: master cylider. The seals would leak a little, but enough to loose pressure unless you pump your brake again.

Good luck
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 11:03 PM
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From: Toronto ON
Default

Originally Posted by madmachines
Hey guys, just wanted to say thanks!! I was leaning that way myself but after some of the C5 forum threads, started to think maybe sucking in air on a caliper seal somewhere as remote a possibility that might be. Thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it. I should have the new one on tomorrow and good to go by thursday. Have a great night.

David
Update, Mad?
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