Potential spongy brake pedal fix...
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Joined: Jun 2018
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Potential spongy brake pedal fix...
Hi guys.
I stumbled upon this Instagram page of what looks like a new company (@project.ote) that made a brake master brace for the c5 corvette.
I always felt that my brake pedal wasn't as firm as it could be, especially after some time on the backroads. I've heard the same complaint from other c5 owners so I thought I would share this. I installed one on the Subaru I used to own (night and day difference) and always wanted one for my vette but could never find one.
If nothing else I think its pretty cool that there are new companies providing aftermarket support for the c5 and developing new products.
I stumbled upon this Instagram page of what looks like a new company (@project.ote) that made a brake master brace for the c5 corvette.
I always felt that my brake pedal wasn't as firm as it could be, especially after some time on the backroads. I've heard the same complaint from other c5 owners so I thought I would share this. I installed one on the Subaru I used to own (night and day difference) and always wanted one for my vette but could never find one.
If nothing else I think its pretty cool that there are new companies providing aftermarket support for the c5 and developing new products.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
If it is spongy and bleeding the system doesn't improve the feel either there is an issue with the master cylinder or there is air in the BPMV and you need to do the ABS Automated Bleed to get the air out of the unit. When bled properly the pedal should be hard when the brakes are applied, although some units will let the pedal drop down to the same level as the gas pedal before the pedal gets hard. That drop helps with heel/toe downshifting.
If you have a long pedal (long stroke that when you finally hit the point where the brakes grab the pedal gets hard) you either have a bad wheel bearing causing piston knockback or tapered brake pads. The C5 floating calipers are particularly susceptible to tapered pads causing an extremely long pedal. One way to address al long pedal is to use the left foot to pump the brake a few times before taking your foot off the throttle to stop. Pumping the brakes gets the pads back in contact with the rotors wth the pistons being pressed against the pads.
Bill
If you have a long pedal (long stroke that when you finally hit the point where the brakes grab the pedal gets hard) you either have a bad wheel bearing causing piston knockback or tapered brake pads. The C5 floating calipers are particularly susceptible to tapered pads causing an extremely long pedal. One way to address al long pedal is to use the left foot to pump the brake a few times before taking your foot off the throttle to stop. Pumping the brakes gets the pads back in contact with the rotors wth the pistons being pressed against the pads.
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 820
Likes: 535
From: Miami, Fl
Interesting. I've seen a similar product for other vehicles, mostly for those whose firewall is susceptible to cracking. When pressing the brakes (or clutch pedal), does the C5's firewall have a measurable amount of flex to it? Maybe I'll bust out the dial indicator later and give it a test...
EDIT: I measured a maximum 0.03" - 0.04" of movement at the end of the brake master cylinder, which is nothing. Car was off and I pressed the hell out of the pedal. May retest this some other day with the car on just to make sure that there isn't more deflection with the pedal all the way to the floor
EDIT: I measured a maximum 0.03" - 0.04" of movement at the end of the brake master cylinder, which is nothing. Car was off and I pressed the hell out of the pedal. May retest this some other day with the car on just to make sure that there isn't more deflection with the pedal all the way to the floor
Last edited by G_Loc; May 18, 2022 at 05:36 PM.
