Well.. last night (ok, last 2 nights) I put on a new power brake booster.

For those of you not following my story, my original problem was lack of braking power, and my left front locking up before the rest of them did.

First I replaced pads and rotors all the way around, as they were shot anyway. No improvement. Then I replaced the front calipers, which got me some improvement, but very little. I could still not do any emergency stopping. Then I bled out the entire system again. That ended up reducing my 25mph stopping distance by about 6 inches. Still, my left front would lock up before the others. Then I thought, maybe it was the master cylinder/proportioning valve bypassing the rear brakes. Replaced that and the car was decent for about a week. Then all of a sudden I completely lost braking power, but only sometimes. Freaking me out.

So, I took it to a shop where I guy who specializes on Vetts took a look at it. It said I had a bad power brake booster. After 2 hours of diagnosis, he was positive that was the problem. The price was a bit high, so I had the car towed back to the lot. I live in an apartment complex, so no garage luxury here!

After some searching, I finally found a booster and it took about a week to get here. I read up on all the tech tips so I would have an idea what to expect. I generally multiply the time it takes forum members to do a job by 3 to get an idea how much time to set aside (we won't even discuss putting my replacement convertible top on).

So, I pulled the driver seat, removed the master cylinder, avoided impaling myself on the exposed seat posts and flopped inside my car, only to discover my ratchet extension was half an inch too short. By then it was dark. Trip to the store fixed that the next day.

So, last night I got the booster replaced after struggling with what I could only describe as an evil mechanical octopus of wires, hoses and braces which greedily clung to the booster. I fought with the pushrod for a while also, finally getting it back on, with about 1/4 inch space extra, so I adjusted my brake and parking light actuators.

The result?

Well, I now how very little stopping power, and the left front wheel locks up.

I am going to do a full brake system bleed tonight, as I am sure I have some air in the system after taking the MC off. Hopefully, this will solve the problem and I'll be on the street again. The only things I have not replaced so far are the rear calipers and the brake lines.

My next project; hood alignment! Ah, easy, you say? Heh,heh.. you have not seen my car.

If only my patience holds out...

 

Did you replace the slave? That was the problem on mine. It should be replaced when the master is replaced.

 

I am concerned that only one wheel locks up. That's NOT a booster problem. The booster affects the entire brake system not one wheel. I would want to verify that the RIGHT wheel is getting brake pressure. Do a bleed and pay particular attention to how much fluid comes out. What I might suspect here is a bad HOSE.......... I have seen this a lot........ but mostly on FORDS ......although I repaired this on a 71 vette.......both rears were bad. The inside of the hose deteriorates and acts like a check valve preventing fluid from flowing to one wheel. On the 71 it was because someone had been in there before me and damaged the hoses by tangling them up when reinstalling the calipers. You might also look at the distribution block.......... but I really feel that you have a restriction someplace at the RIGHT front :seeya

 

Have you thoroughly inspected the hard-line to the right front? I've seen people put an engine in the car and crimp the line on the cross-member. I would start with an inspection and then hoses. :yesnod:

 

'88s don't come with ABS as standard?

 

I agree, the booster and master cylinder should both sides of an axle the same way.

Replace both front flex hoses; the right side could be balooning putting more force to the left caliper, causing it to lockup.

Another possibility is that the ABS is holding off pressure to the right side causing the left to lockup. Try cleaning the right side rotation sensor.

 

I just did a re-bleed of the brake lines, putting about a resevoir-full through each to make sure I don't have air in there. The new booster and the re-bleed went a long way to give me more stopping power, but I still don't have what I would consider emergency power.

In addition, the brake light in the info center is now on. The ABS light has been on for a while now, but I was under the impression that if the ABS is not functioning, the brakes should act like standard power brakes (i.e.; all four wheels lock up when I slam the brakes). I can still only get the left front to lock up. As far as the info center brake light, I am not sure if it is indicating a problem, or if I brutalized my emergency brake handle while I was thrashing around in there replacing the booster. I have had some trouble with the handle not seating down all the way and the light coming on. I'll check that if it ever stops raining for an hour or so.

Also, if I get the chance, I may run it up to my friend's Tuffy in Columbus (hour and a half drive) and put it up on the lift so I can inspect everything myself and use his power bleeder to make sure I got all the air out.

Unfortunately, I am not terribly familiar with the ABS, or the Corvette brake system as it is. I am used to doing this kind of thing on second generation F-Bodies.

I will definitely check everything you guys suggested and let you know how it goes.


What's that sound? Why, it's Ebay calling to me... must resist...