Gojamsgo

My 1989 Corvette doesnt stop very well, I don't think anything's wrong with it, but since I haven't driven any others, I don't know if this is normal or not. It's all stock except a couple bolt on parts. My 1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille stops better.

65Z01

Sounds like your braking system needs a good inspection.

FAUEE

No, not normal. A c4 should out stop almost anything on the road. How old is fluid? What pads? Those are where i would start.

Mr. Peabody

Let's ask a clarifying question:

Does it take more "effort" to press on the brake peddle than it does on your Caddy .... or ...... do you mean that even when you press really hard on the peddle the car just does not slow down very quickly?

jpipx

My 95 vert is all stock and brakes work fine. The 95 coupe has upgraded rotors, pads & lines and brakes even better. Don't think I've ever driven one that didn't stop well.

raymnz

My '88 was so bad at stopping that I had to exert so much force on the pedal that I was heaving against the seat back to get leverage. In fact, even when the car was idling in gear I could hardly stop it! Turned out that the power braking unit had a leaking diaphragm that was the result of leakage of fluid from the master cylinder. New master cylinder and new PBR unit fixed the problem.

So...take a look at those items if your calipers are OK - if they are sticking that would also prevent decent braking.

DGXR

Standard C4 brakes are good brakes, the late C4 HD brakes are very good. You have an issue.

TorchTarga94

I thought my 94' brakes were rather poor as well. The standard JL9 12" Brakes that is. I flushed out all the old brake fluid, put on new pads and rotors, and exercised the ABS system. By exercise I mean traveling at roughly 40mph on an unbusy road and mashing the brake pedal as hard as you can until you can get the ABS to activate. If you do this a few times it really seams to help the brakes wake up and perform very well, even the factory JL9 base brakes.

I've since moved on to C5 front brakes which in comparison tugs at your eye ***** when you stop.

Moser28

Fresh brake fluid and braided lines made a big difference in my 96 at 35k miles.

BubbaKahuna

No C4 should make you work hard to stop it.
GM deliberately designed the car to be a great handling car with good brakes to make up for the lower horsepower of the historical Vettes.
I'd give it a hard stinkeye from one end to the other if you stomp the pedal and don't slide forward enough to lock the seat belts.

aklim

Why do you even have to say that about the fresh fluid. I don't understand why people think the brakes are a sealed system. Obviously the fluid gets darker and darker till it is pitch black in that sealed system for some crazy reason. Even more weird is MB, Audi and I think Mitsu might be calling for flushes every couple of years but you can't convince people that the fluid gets old.

As to braided lines, I think even fresh rubber will be better if they want to cheap out.

Gojamsgo

No. In normal braking situations it just seems like it should be better. I've never had to press really hard on the brake pedal of either car.

Gojamsgo

No idea how old the fluid is, or what pads. The brakes havent been inspected or touched since getting the car.

Gojamsgo

Come to think of it, the car has moved forward a bit while idling and holding the pedal down at a stop.

CorvetteRules

If it is hard to keep from moving while at idle you have a serious brake issue. It comes across that you have no experience in brake repair or replacement and if the case I strongly suggest you take the car to someone that does.

I haven't replaced brakes in years because the older I've gotten the "creakier" my joints have gotten, but with the symptoms you have reported I would have gone immediately, if not sooner, to the mechanic I use to pull all four wheels.

aklim

I'd go to a set of hoses and a flush and see how much better it would be

The Green Hornet

Get a set of speed bleeders, some fresh brake fluid, and get-er-done. You don't even have to take the front wheels off, just jack up and pull the rear one's.

The Green Hornet

Also get this, it makes bleeding your brakes a one man job.

FAUEE

I second this. Brakes are something too critical to let go without solving. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet if you dont have the experience to solve.

aklim

Or get THIS and do all your vehicles every couple of years.