Brakes on a 1985 C4
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 653
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From: Marysville CA - 2002
Brakes on a 1985 C4
This is a hard one to explain but it seems like to me I have to apply allot of pressure on my break peddle???? – much more than I do on my wife’s Cadillac or even on my Jeep – think this is normal or what kind of problem might I have? -
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,387
Likes: 534
Perhaps the brake lines themselves are worn. It happens with the those rubber hoses. That can cause a soft pedal feel when braking. Possible problem with master cylinder? My brake pedal would apply pressure at first but then lose it so I had to apply even more pressure. Found out it was the master cylinder that was faulty. May not be your case but it's a thought.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
well how much more?
I have a pick up I drive something like once every six months. the first time I hit the brakes in it, I end up skidding and lunging forward because I forget how soft the brake pedal is compared to a corvette.
The corvette has a stiffer brake pedal then most whatever cars.
I feel that the stiffer pedal offers a lot more control in high performance driving.
But on the other hand I had the brake booster crack on me and had a REALLY hard brake pedal. but I am sure you would be saying you have no brakes in this post if it were the case.
I have a pick up I drive something like once every six months. the first time I hit the brakes in it, I end up skidding and lunging forward because I forget how soft the brake pedal is compared to a corvette.
The corvette has a stiffer brake pedal then most whatever cars.
I feel that the stiffer pedal offers a lot more control in high performance driving.
But on the other hand I had the brake booster crack on me and had a REALLY hard brake pedal. but I am sure you would be saying you have no brakes in this post if it were the case.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The pedal is stiffer by design on these cars... but if it's too stiff, then your brake booster could be cracked or leaking past the diaphram. It won't necessarily be bad enough to make a loud hissing noise either. Check the vacuum hose to it also. How is your idle? Does it change or stumble at all when you step on the brakes?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Marysville CA - 2002
the car only has 35K on it - i know something isn't right - i'm sure it's more than a stiff pedal - i'm the second owner - the car has been babied - it could be just glased over - would a few panic stop self clean glazing? - the brakes don't grab - it's more like you don't have power brakes - t
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 27
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From: CA
i'd say its a leak somewhere in the brake booster. i had the same problem, pulled out the brake booster and blew into it, air just blew out the other side somewhere where it wasn't supposed to. replaced it with a new one and now brakes work fine 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 271
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From: Suisun City CA 1992 Coupe LT1 A4
I had a similar problem with my 92 with 70k miles. It seemed as though it would take a lot of effort to get it to stop at high speed as compared to my other vehicles. I changed my brake pads and throughly flushed my brake lines and it stops great now.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
My 86' has a very stiff pedal compared to my other cars. I flushed the brake fluid and that helped a little, but it still dosen't seem to have the "bite" that new cars have. If you haven;t flushed the fluid, that is a cheap place to start.
I also have a 99' vette and I love the brakes in that car. The amount of initial bite is very strong, yet it is still easy modulate (for me at least). I plan on doing a C5 brake upgrade to the car simply to try and get that feel in the 86'.
I also have a 99' vette and I love the brakes in that car. The amount of initial bite is very strong, yet it is still easy modulate (for me at least). I plan on doing a C5 brake upgrade to the car simply to try and get that feel in the 86'.
