C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

89 vert brakes. Need help!

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Old Jan 16, 2008 | 06:50 PM
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Default 89 vert brakes. Need help!

89 vert. Brakes work fine driving around town. If I go on a cruise, the first time I hit the pedal, it goes down quite aways. Next pump they are back to the top. I have already put a new master cylinder on it. Pads are all new. Rotors are new. Any suggestions are greatly appriacted.
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Old Jan 16, 2008 | 08:15 PM
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Maybe still air in the lines?
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Old Jan 16, 2008 | 09:10 PM
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Did you bench bleed the new master cylinder?
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Old Jan 16, 2008 | 09:16 PM
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......just like above posts......air trapped in brake system!
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Old Jan 16, 2008 | 09:24 PM
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No air in lines. I had this issue before I replaced Master cylinder. Bench bled new MC. Could this have anything to do with ABS stuff ?
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 12:58 AM
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Mike:

Tell us how you performed the brake bleeding operation after you installed the new MC.
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 07:30 AM
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I had the same thing happen on a 92 non corvette chevy. The master cylinder brake fluid went low and sucked air in to the system. I replaced the master cyl and bench bled as per instructions, then bled the brakes when everything was back together. The brakes still went soft after driving a while. But then I bled all 4 brakes again and there was still more air in there! Especially in the front left side. Bleed the brakes again. There are tiny air bubbles in there you couldn't see the first time. Just make sure the master cyl doesn't go dry. This is a 2 person job. Hope this helps, Brad
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 07:39 AM
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That's what I would try
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
89 vert. Brakes work fine driving around town. If I go on a cruise, the first time I hit the pedal, it goes down quite aways. Next pump they are back to the top. I have already put a new master cylinder on it. Pads are all new. Rotors are new. Any suggestions are greatly appriacted.
You need to bleed the system again.
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 11:34 AM
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This is probably very unlikely, as yours is a street driven car but...
I race my 94 LT1 with J55's and when one or both of the calipers spread through thermal distortion and take a permanent set they will exhibit the symptoms you describe. It is due to the increased pad knockback that occurs when the calipers are warped. As I said, very unlikely; but you can confirm by measuring the interior dimensions of the calipers, they should be parallel between the "ears" and the piston face.
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 01:50 PM
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Mike:

I have been working on auto brake systems for over 40 years (now.....don't think I am old!!!) and the best method I have found to bleed the brake system is the use of a tool called "Mityvac" (http://www.mityvac.com/). However, if you use the tool as shipped, it has a serious problem in that it sucks air from the brake bleeder screw as you purge each caliper. To solve this problem, get an extra brake bleeder screw and drill a hole straight through the bleeder screw. To purge a caliper, remove the original bleeder screw and insert the drilled screw. Suck fluid from that caliper until you get fresh fluid and NO bubbles. Remove the drilled screw and replace the original. As you remove the drilled screw, you will loose a little fluid and air will not enter the system.

The "el cheapo" Mityvac is plastic and costs about $35 while the best is aluminum and costs about $75 at Sears. You will use this tool many times in the future.

Using this tool is easy and is a one man job.

Last edited by Sam Lam; Jan 18, 2008 at 10:50 PM.
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 02:03 PM
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Agreed Sam.
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 09:03 PM
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Default brakes.

Thank you Sidney. I KNOW I dont have any air. Im going to look at my calipers. That sounds like whats happening. Thanks everyone for your input. This is an awesome forum to belong to because of all of your knowlage.
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
Thank you Sidney. I KNOW I dont have any air. Im going to look at my calipers. That sounds like whats happening. Thanks everyone for your input. This is an awesome forum to belong to because of all of your knowlage.
Measure it and report back. If you have any question PM me and I will give you my phone number. Also look at the wear pattern of the pads, if they are tapered circumferencially, it is definitly distorted calipers.

Last edited by Sidney004; Jan 17, 2008 at 10:37 PM.
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
No air in lines. I had this issue before I replaced Master cylinder.
How come you replaced the master cylinder?
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 09:43 PM
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Default brakes.

I had thought it was my MC.
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