Gimme a break
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Concord, California
Gimme a break
Hey yall,
I really need some suggestions on an issue with my breaks. I just bought a '88 Z52 and the breaks are mushy. Takes quite a bit of foot power to get brakes to react properly at speeds between 90-0 mph and there are absolutly no leaks. The car was owned by a rich doctor that kept it garaged in nuetral California and drove it on the weekends. The milage is at 69,000 and all original. I am totally new to Corvettes and would like to know what would be the most basic of remidies that would be most effective. So far you guys rock and I thought you could post some ideas...
What do I do?
1. Bleed the brakes
2. Flush the fluid
3. Buy new break booster
4. Buy New Master cylinder
5. Buy New Hoses
6. Take car to good shop and have them check it out.
7. Combo of any above and which...
I really need some suggestions on an issue with my breaks. I just bought a '88 Z52 and the breaks are mushy. Takes quite a bit of foot power to get brakes to react properly at speeds between 90-0 mph and there are absolutly no leaks. The car was owned by a rich doctor that kept it garaged in nuetral California and drove it on the weekends. The milage is at 69,000 and all original. I am totally new to Corvettes and would like to know what would be the most basic of remidies that would be most effective. So far you guys rock and I thought you could post some ideas...
What do I do?
1. Bleed the brakes
2. Flush the fluid
3. Buy new break booster
4. Buy New Master cylinder
5. Buy New Hoses
6. Take car to good shop and have them check it out.
7. Combo of any above and which...
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I have the same problem with the 90, makes me hate the car. MC is good,(at least it seems like it) all new pads/rotors, bled it fairly good , and its only a little better
Ive been told to bleed the ABS unit behind the seat as it sits higher and could have air trapped in it. If I cant get it sorted out, the cars gone. Stopping in a moments notice IMO is important on these cars, expecially if youre pushing it.
I heard of a few others who have replaced darn near everything and had the same problem .
Id start with flushing ALL the fluid out and bleedng the whole system well.
Ive been told to bleed the ABS unit behind the seat as it sits higher and could have air trapped in it. If I cant get it sorted out, the cars gone. Stopping in a moments notice IMO is important on these cars, expecially if youre pushing it.
I heard of a few others who have replaced darn near everything and had the same problem .
Id start with flushing ALL the fluid out and bleedng the whole system well.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
I put a Dual-Diaphragm booster on my '84, and it made a huge difference! The original single diaphragm plastic booster just doesn't quite cut it. It was a fairly easy swap (if you don't mind working upside down under the dash), and definitely worth the trouble. It's available from SAC Hot Rod, Orange CA (714-997-3433), and is about $415. A little on the expensive side, but IT WORKS, and that makes it worthwhile!
