EMERGENCY POST!!! Please Help...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters Missouri
EMERGENCY POST!!! Please Help...
I'm home on leave in St. Louis and need to get back to Oklahoma ASAP, have a family emergency. Today while changing the PS high pressure hose on my 90 coupe I decided to give her a bath. I covered the ECM and sprayed her down with de-greaser. I then gently hosed the engine compartment down with a garden hose. After doing that I went to go to the store and got about a block away and found out that I had very little brakes. Is this a coincidence? The peddle is abnormally firm, brakes are 30 days old front and back. I have to stand on the peddle to get it to stop, VERY HARD. I checked the vacuum line to the power booster and it is ok. Any ideas? As it is right now it is too dangerous to drive one block let alone cross country. Please help!!!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
If your vacuum hose is hooked up, it sounds like an inopportune time for a booster failure. I'd locate a booster from a parts store asap if they're not already closed.
You can still drive it, but you'll have only about 60% of your braking ability, so be careful, don't need another family emergency.
You can still drive it, but you'll have only about 60% of your braking ability, so be careful, don't need another family emergency.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I am wondering if when the powersteering fluid flew everywhere, it didn't land on something it shouldn't have... and ate stuff.
That's my concern. Soak the motor with simple green and hose accordingly.
That's my concern. Soak the motor with simple green and hose accordingly.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 644
Likes: 15
From: Clarksville Tennessee
Sounds like you definitely have a problem with your brake booster. Check your vacum to the bosster. If you have vacum then the booster need to be replaced. IF no vacum then check your vacum lines.
rssshen vette
101st Airborne
"Airassault"
rssshen vette
101st Airborne
"Airassault"
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters Missouri
Thanks guys, I called Advanced Auto Parts and they want $100 and of course it has to be ordered but will be there by tommorrow morning. I was thinking about the whole water issue too but I just cant see where and what it could possibly effect, the 90 brake system seems to be pretty straight forward. Any other thoughts would be appreciated, I am just a little worried about throwing parts at it and still be in the same boat. By the way, what is the little wire that runs to the side of the master cylinder???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters Missouri
Originally Posted by rssshen vette
Sounds like you definitely have a problem with your brake booster. Check your vacum to the bosster. If you have vacum then the booster need to be replaced. IF no vacum then check your vacum lines.
rssshen vette
101st Airborne
"Airassault"
rssshen vette
101st Airborne
"Airassault"
MP
The Force of Choice
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 616
Likes: 13
From: Loudon, TN
Did you by any chance get any power steering oil onto the brake rotors or degreaser/oil/water mixture splashed on them when you hosed the engine off? It doesn't take much oil on the rotors to really degrade braking capability. If you did, use some aerosol brake cleaner liberally on the rotors and pads and see if that doesn't help. Make sure it is brake cleaner not some other type of cleaner.
By the way, MP with Company A 95th MP Bn, Mannheim, Germany. 1971 - 1974. 411th MP Company, III Corps, Fort Hood, TX. 1974 - 1977.
By the way, MP with Company A 95th MP Bn, Mannheim, Germany. 1971 - 1974. 411th MP Company, III Corps, Fort Hood, TX. 1974 - 1977.
Last edited by George Dickel; Nov 20, 2005 at 07:15 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 559
Likes: 6
From: OKC OK
Originally Posted by George Dickel
Did you by any chance get any power steering oil onto the brake rotors or degreaser/oil/water mixture splashed on them when you hosed the engine off? It doesn't take much oil on the rotors to really degrade braking capability. If you did, use some aerosol brake cleaner liberally on the rotors and pads and see if that doesn't help. Make sure it is brake cleaner not some other type of cleaner...
If it was working fine before the soaking then don't out-think yourself. You most likely got water and degreaser on the rotors. Drive slowly around the block riding/dragging the brakes. A little bit of fluid can adversely affect brake performance but it can usually be burned off very quickly. Hope you make it back home to the Great State of Oklahoma soon and find all is well here!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
That's my guess too; crap on the rotors. Doesn't take too much to surprise the crap out of you 
Your pedal height is still the same, right?
Good luck.
323rd Maintenance Company
Devens RFTA
Your pedal height is still the same, right?
Good luck.
323rd Maintenance Company
Devens RFTA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters Missouri
The pedal height seems to be the same just VERY stiff. I have drove it up and down the street a few times and got nothing out of it but some weird looks from the neighbors. I am gonna tackle the booster tommorrow in the light of day. Does anyone know how many bolts there are on the 90? My manual (Crappy Haynes) says 4 but all I see is 2 under the dash. Doesnt look to fun but gotta do it, brakes with no power assist for 600 miles on the highway is not an option for me. I like staying above ground. 
Thanks again for the quick replies, much appreciated...
Thanks again for the quick replies, much appreciated...
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 712
Likes: 26
From: Santa Maria CA
If everything else fails you might replace the vacuum hoses. I had a similar problem with brakes and after replacing everything else found that a weak vacuum hose looked ok but was collapsing and closing off durring braking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
look closer-there are four bolts, I'm thinking booster big time, I've had the grungy brake/rotors b4, and they do burn off while driving with the brake pedal depressed (lazy mans way) but the stiffness you're feeling sounds like a bad booster or vac line to it.I think it was just coincidence
with the water.
with the water.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 559
Likes: 6
From: OKC OK
Originally Posted by rick lambert
look closer-there are four bolts, I'm thinking booster big time, I've had the grungy brake/rotors b4, and they do burn off while driving with the brake pedal depressed (lazy mans way) but the stiffness you're feeling sounds like a bad booster or vac line to it.I think it was just coincidence
with the water.
with the water.
Couldn't possibly be water and degreaser from the soaking
...no uh-uh...gotta be a catastrophic brake booster failer at the exact moment H2o was applied. 
Some of you "expert" guys floor me
No problems until he gets the thing wet...then all of a sudden...like Peter Lorre outta chute number two;
The brake booster fails? 
Highly unlikely.And if you're the kinda guy that takes the front end apart just to dry the pads and rotors after a wash...well call me lazy... cuz you gotta be the most industrious guy on the planet!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by George Dickel
Did you by any chance get any power steering oil onto the brake rotors or degreaser/oil/water mixture splashed on them when you hosed the engine off? It doesn't take much oil on the rotors to really degrade braking capability. If you did, use some aerosol brake cleaner liberally on the rotors and pads and see if that doesn't help. Make sure it is brake cleaner not some other type of cleaner.
By the way, MP with Company A 95th MP Bn, Mannheim, Germany. 1971 - 1974. 411th MP Company, III Corps, Fort Hood, TX. 1974 - 1977.
By the way, MP with Company A 95th MP Bn, Mannheim, Germany. 1971 - 1974. 411th MP Company, III Corps, Fort Hood, TX. 1974 - 1977.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,301
Likes: 2,222
From: Central Maryland
You've received some good advice here -- before you go to all the trouble of swapping out the booster, definitely check the front pads/rotors for contamination, and verify good vacuum to the booster.
Usually when a booster fails, it's a rupture of the diaphragm, and if this were the case, you'd likely hear a hissing noise, and/or have a poor/no idle condition.
It's not impossible that the booster has developed a problem, but I'd strongly recommend you look elsewhere first.
If the pads/rotors have become contaminated, unbolt the calipers and swing them aside, and get the rotors scrupulously clean using a true brake cleaner. Others have suggested cleaning the pads, and you could try this, but if they're contaminated, I'd recommend you just go ahead and replace them. Pads are cheap, and accidents aren't.
Be well,
SJW
Usually when a booster fails, it's a rupture of the diaphragm, and if this were the case, you'd likely hear a hissing noise, and/or have a poor/no idle condition.
It's not impossible that the booster has developed a problem, but I'd strongly recommend you look elsewhere first.
If the pads/rotors have become contaminated, unbolt the calipers and swing them aside, and get the rotors scrupulously clean using a true brake cleaner. Others have suggested cleaning the pads, and you could try this, but if they're contaminated, I'd recommend you just go ahead and replace them. Pads are cheap, and accidents aren't.
Be well,
SJW
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Yeah seems awfully incidental. Try spraying the front suspension, brake assemblies down with Simple Green give it a minute and rinse. Then take it for a short drive and re-bed the brake linings. 20 medium-firm stops from 30mph (one after the other). Let them cool down a little and then drive it again and see if they don't improve. At about stops 16-18 you should start smelling them. Of course you should have done that as well when the pads were replaced.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters Missouri
Thanks everyone for all of the help, you really helped me through this. Turns out it was the booster. After removal and inspection I found a huge crack in the plastic housing, it was posistioned so I couldnt see it with it still on the car. Looks like it has been working its way bigger and bigger over time, this might explain my rough idle and hard start up problem too. The whole job was not overly tough, just a pain in the butt, you have to be a circus contortionist to get to the damn nuts under the dash. Anyway, shes all buttoned up now and I'm hitting the road, thanks again guys for all the help, another satisfied customer. 