whats up with my brakes??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

79Chevypickup · 12-08-2003, 04:40 PM

Today I went down the street and my brakes are not reacting how they are supposed to or how they used to....

A few months ago I changed out the pads and they were working great...
Now all of a sudden I can step on the brakes and there is not much there....
I have to push all the way down and early if I want to stop...
Then when I am sittin at a light or stop sign the truck wants to keep going and I have to literally stand on the brake pedal to keep the truck from inching up....
When I got back to the house my rims and caliper were super duper hot...
What the hell is going on?

Do you all know what I am talking about or do I need to elaberate some more?

KShortell · 12-08-2003, 05:08 PM

How old are your calipers? Sometimes, the bores can get some corrosion and wear over time such that when new pads are installed, the piston is riding in an area that it hasn't for a while and can get to being sticky.

What you describe sounds like a case of brake fade. If so, you could also have boiled your brake fluid.

It's also possible that you have some air trapped in the brake lines. Since gases are compressible while fluids are nearly incompressible (generally), the suction action of the hydraulic fluid isn't there to fully retract the pads when you let off the brakes.

Bad brake hoses can do the same thing as well.

Did ya smell burning brakes? If so, then there's your problem.

Good luck!

79Chevypickup · 12-08-2003, 05:14 PM

Didnt really smell anything, BUT
Who knows how long its been since the brake lines were changed...
Guess I got a new project on my hands!!!
Thanks for the info

Russell · 12-08-2003, 05:44 PM

Before you go buy new brake lines, take your master cylinder apart to see if one of the gaskets in there has gone south, thats what happened to mine

Jim Molloy · 12-08-2003, 05:54 PM

Sitting at a stop ,holding the brake pedal down ,it just keeps
creeping toward the floor. If you pump the pedal ,it works ,'
then starts toward the floor again.

Is this what your truck is doing ?

If so ,its most likely a defective master cylinder. Happens out of
the blue. Usually half of the master cylinder quits working due to
worn out rubber seals inside. Leaves you with either front or
rear brakes only.

Overhauling a master cylinder for me is a PITA. Much easier to
go buy a rebuilt. Replacement takes couple of hours ,couple of beers, have your sweetie pump with her cute foot while you bleed the brakes.

This happened to my M@@tang last week. I was even lasier.
Rebuilt master cylinder $17 ,my mechanic to replace it $30.

Back in action and soon for sale.

79Chevypickup · 12-08-2003, 05:57 PM

PUmping the pedal does not work!!
And standing on the brake pedal while at the
stop sign, the truck inches forward.....

How much you all think it would cost and how long to do it?
To change out master cylinder and brake lines.....

79Chevypickup · 12-08-2003, 06:11 PM

Alright how about this......
How long should it take me to replace the following?
And
Is there anything I should know about before starting?

Brake Master Cylinder
Brake fluid resuvoir
Brake lines
Both front calipers

Let me know what you think

**swervin ervin** · 12-08-2003, 06:12 PM

Sounds more like a bad brake booster to me.

Check the booster like this.

http://www.73-87.com/garage/booster.htm

If it pans out to be OK. I would do the whole brake system and be done with it. You can half way do something and it may be fine, but if you want it done right and to last, do the whole thing. It depends on how old stuff is, but I bet the brakes hoses have never been changed. Change all three brake hoses, calipers, pads, shoes, and master cylinder if needed. Make sure the rotors and drums are in good shape too. Might as well go ahead and install some new wheel cylinders too. Flush in the entire system with new fluid. You will be sure to have super brakes then.

But, this is just me. It really depends on how much you are wanting to spend and how much work you are willing to do.

Mike

79Chevypickup · 12-08-2003, 06:14 PM

Just like your message under you name right?

"You get what you paid for"

**swervin ervin** · 12-08-2003, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 79Chevypickup
Is there anything I should know about before starting?

Yes, know you will need a Chiltons manual if you've never done this before.

Changing a master cylinder is not hard at all. Just make sure you bench bleed it before installing it on the truck. It will take forever to bleed all the air out if you don't. They come with the hoses for this.

12-08-2003, 04:40 PM	#1
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	whats up with my brakes??? Today I went down the street and my brakes are not reacting how they are supposed to or how they used to.... A few months ago I changed out the pads and they were working great... Now all of a sudden I can step on the brakes and there is not much there.... I have to push all the way down and early if I want to stop... Then when I am sittin at a light or stop sign the truck wants to keep going and I have to literally stand on the brake pedal to keep the truck from inching up.... When I got back to the house my rims and caliper were super duper hot... What the hell is going on? Do you all know what I am talking about or do I need to elaberate some more? __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

12-08-2003, 05:08 PM	#2
KShortell Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 734	How old are your calipers? Sometimes, the bores can get some corrosion and wear over time such that when new pads are installed, the piston is riding in an area that it hasn't for a while and can get to being sticky. What you describe sounds like a case of brake fade. If so, you could also have boiled your brake fluid. It's also possible that you have some air trapped in the brake lines. Since gases are compressible while fluids are nearly incompressible (generally), the suction action of the hydraulic fluid isn't there to fully retract the pads when you let off the brakes. Bad brake hoses can do the same thing as well. Did ya smell burning brakes? If so, then there's your problem. Good luck! __________________ Semper Paratus

12-08-2003, 05:14 PM	#3
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	Didnt really smell anything, BUT Who knows how long its been since the brake lines were changed... Guess I got a new project on my hands!!! Thanks for the info __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

12-08-2003, 05:44 PM	#4
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Before you go buy new brake lines, take your master cylinder apart to see if one of the gaskets in there has gone south, thats what happened to mine __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

12-08-2003, 05:54 PM	#5
Jim Molloy Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Albany,OR Posts: 49	Sitting at a stop ,holding the brake pedal down ,it just keeps creeping toward the floor. If you pump the pedal ,it works ,' then starts toward the floor again. Is this what your truck is doing ? If so ,its most likely a defective master cylinder. Happens out of the blue. Usually half of the master cylinder quits working due to worn out rubber seals inside. Leaves you with either front or rear brakes only. Overhauling a master cylinder for me is a PITA. Much easier to go buy a rebuilt. Replacement takes couple of hours ,couple of beers, have your sweetie pump with her cute foot while you bleed the brakes. This happened to my M@@tang last week. I was even lasier. Rebuilt master cylinder $17 ,my mechanic to replace it $30. Back in action and soon for sale. __________________ 1979 Chevy Stepside 250-6,auto. 1981 Suzuki 850 70's Chopper,Springer,hardtail,750 Suzuki engine '84 Stang-wife's

12-08-2003, 05:57 PM	#6
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	PUmping the pedal does not work!! And standing on the brake pedal while at the stop sign, the truck inches forward..... How much you all think it would cost and how long to do it? To change out master cylinder and brake lines..... __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

12-08-2003, 06:11 PM	#7
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	Alright how about this...... How long should it take me to replace the following? And Is there anything I should know about before starting? Brake Master Cylinder Brake fluid resuvoir Brake lines Both front calipers Let me know what you think __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

12-08-2003, 06:12 PM	#8
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Sounds more like a bad brake booster to me. Check the booster like this. http://www.73-87.com/garage/booster.htm If it pans out to be OK. I would do the whole brake system and be done with it. You can half way do something and it may be fine, but if you want it done right and to last, do the whole thing. It depends on how old stuff is, but I bet the brakes hoses have never been changed. Change all three brake hoses, calipers, pads, shoes, and master cylinder if needed. Make sure the rotors and drums are in good shape too. Might as well go ahead and install some new wheel cylinders too. Flush in the entire system with new fluid. You will be sure to have super brakes then. But, this is just me. It really depends on how much you are wanting to spend and how much work you are willing to do. Mike

12-08-2003, 06:14 PM	#9
79Chevypickup MY TRUCK IS FOR SALE!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pasadena, TX Posts: 292	Just like your message under you name right? "You get what you paid for" __________________ 1979 Chevy LWB 350ci / 700R4 Edelbrock under the hood F O R S A L E OR T R A D E

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