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

96 Brakes

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Old Apr 20, 2021 | 09:34 PM
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Default 96 Brakes

My car has been running and driving now for about 5-6 months. All has been good after a full rebuild on just about everything on the car.
Brakes - New power booster, rebuilt MC, new rotors and pads all the way around. Brakes have been working well. Pedal is firm but not hard.
My car is not a daily driver. I probably drive it 3-4 times a week, errands, cruising around etc..
Today I pressed the brakes and the pedal went "long" almost twice as far as normal before it started grabbing. It felt soft. Usually it starts grabbing right away when I put my foot on it. But once it started grabbing it stopped fine the pedal just went noticeably farther than normal. Kind of spooked me for sure. I crept it back to the house.
Where do I start?

One other item; I had my car at the local corvette shop a while back for an alignment and I asked him to get the emergency brake working. He said the cams in that mechanically activate the brakes via the caple inside the calipers are completely worn out and I should look into new/rebuilt rear calipers. Would this have anything to do with what I am experiencing?

Thank you
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Old Apr 21, 2021 | 09:13 AM
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My first thought is that you had air in the ABS portion that moved out into the lines. Part of the procedure is to cycle it while bleeding the brakes.
I didn't have a Tech I/II to do this so I went to a large parking lot right after it rained and engaged my ABS a few times.
My pedal is now perfect.

Last edited by puterami; Apr 21, 2021 at 09:13 AM.
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Old Apr 21, 2021 | 01:07 PM
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As a note to the above, for a 96 this could only have happened if you performed an ABS stop. The 96 Corvette uses the Bosch 5 ABS, which unlike the earlier Bosch 2U from the 92-94 (or many other ABS designs from other different vehicles) is a non-integrated system. Its hydraulic system is completely isolated from the main brake hydraulics under normal circumstances. Only during an ABS stop does the solenoid activate that connects the ABS to the brake hydraulics.
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Old Apr 21, 2021 | 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Nomake Wan
As a note to the above, for a 96 this could only have happened if you performed an ABS stop. The 96 Corvette uses the Bosch 5 ABS, which unlike the earlier Bosch 2U from the 92-94 (or many other ABS designs from other different vehicles) is a non-integrated system. Its hydraulic system is completely isolated from the main brake hydraulics under normal circumstances. Only during an ABS stop does the solenoid activate that connects the ABS to the brake hydraulics.
Hmmm, so air cant get from my ABS system to my main hydraulics?

My car sat for 11 years. Getting the air out of the brakes was a real bitch. I also installed new brake booster, twice. The first one didnt work and the pedal just went to the floor. The new one worked as normal.

Last edited by Furias15x; Apr 21, 2021 at 04:41 PM.
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Old Apr 21, 2021 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Furias15x
I also installed new brake booster, twice. The first one didnt work and the pedal just went to the floor. The new one worked as normal.
Just a thought, but maybe the 2nd brake booster is failing. There was a guy on here that replaced like 5 of them and was getting money back from Cardone
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Old Apr 21, 2021 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by vette196
Just a thought, but maybe the 2nd brake booster is failing. There was a guy on here that replaced like 5 of them and was getting money back from Cardone
I think that is very likely the case. The feel is similar. I always come here for insight and other suggestions to try since this place is a massive wealth of information. I couldn't gotten my car on the road without this place.

So now I would like to get around these POS units we have to use for the 96 model. It's a plastic piece of garbage! There are metal options for earlier years. Any suggestions on how to upgrade the 96 booster situation? I am sure there has to be a way around it. There is no way people are autoX or any kind of racing with these boosters...
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Old Apr 21, 2021 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Furias15x
Hmmm, so air cant get from my ABS system to my main hydraulics?

My car sat for 11 years. Getting the air out of the brakes was a real bitch. I also installed new brake booster, twice. The first one didnt work and the pedal just went to the floor. The new one worked as normal.
Correct. The only way for air to get in or out of the ABS is if air is in the system prior to an ABS stop and gets sucked in that way. Or if one of the fittings on the ABS itself is removed, of course.
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