Soft Pedal
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28 / 04 GTO
Engine: GMPP 350 TPI / LS1
Transmission: WC T5 / T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.46
Soft Pedal
I have a fourth gen rear in my car and my pedal feels extremely soft. Almost to the point where it hits the floor. I don't have a loss in stopping power even though there is so much pedal travel. Any ideas?
#2
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: Soft Pedal
If the pedals going to the floor, then there is probably air in the lines still.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28 / 04 GTO
Engine: GMPP 350 TPI / LS1
Transmission: WC T5 / T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.46
Re: Soft Pedal
it doesn't go all the way to the floor. I only bled the front brakes and when the car is off I have pedal pressure.
#4
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: Soft Pedal
When you put the 4th gen rear in, you only bled the fronts?
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28 / 04 GTO
Engine: GMPP 350 TPI / LS1
Transmission: WC T5 / T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.46
Re: Soft Pedal
I bought the car as a roller and the rear end was already in it. Would not bleeding the backs make such a big difference?
#7
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: Soft Pedal
If there is air in the line to the rear, then yes. I would just try bleeding the whole brake system. It only cost the price of a bottle of brake fluid and doesnt take that long. Then if it still does it you know its not air.
Also check the rubber hoses for expansion when applying the brakes and check for leaks.
Also check the rubber hoses for expansion when applying the brakes and check for leaks.
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28 / 04 GTO
Engine: GMPP 350 TPI / LS1
Transmission: WC T5 / T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.46
Re: Soft Pedal
All the lines were replaced and are stainless with steel braids at the calipers. No air came out when the fronts were bled, do I need to run the car while doing this or does it not matter.
#9
Supreme Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 357, Canfield heads, solid roller,
Transmission: Upgraded 03 Cobra T56
Axle/Gears: 9" 3.50 gears and Detroit Locker
Re: Soft Pedal
No you dont have to have the car running. It wont make a difference.
Since you have stainless braided flex lines and assuming no leaks, then the only possibilites are air in the lines or possibly the master cylinder. I would bleed the brakes real good though before replacing a master.
Since you have stainless braided flex lines and assuming no leaks, then the only possibilites are air in the lines or possibly the master cylinder. I would bleed the brakes real good though before replacing a master.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28 / 04 GTO
Engine: GMPP 350 TPI / LS1
Transmission: WC T5 / T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.46
Re: Soft Pedal
There is some whit plastic switch under the dash that is broken. It goes to the brake pedal and seems to be a pressure switch. I'll re bleed the system tomorrow but I'm curious about this switch. I haven't been able to find anything about it.
#11
Supreme Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes
on
16 Posts
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Soft Pedal
Probably the brake light switch - there's no fluid run to the inside of the car (except coolant in the heater core), that switch is electrical and has nothing to do with brake pressures.
You need to bleed the pass rear first, then driv rear, then pass front, then driv front in that order. And when you think you've bled them enough, then bleed them some more!
You need to bleed the pass rear first, then driv rear, then pass front, then driv front in that order. And when you think you've bled them enough, then bleed them some more!
#12
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: colorado
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 86' z28 (died 5/1/11) 76 k10 pickup
Engine: 350
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 open
Re: Soft Pedal
if the rubber seal on the cap goes bad that will also cause soft pedal feel but def. bleed the brakes first.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28 / 04 GTO
Engine: GMPP 350 TPI / LS1
Transmission: WC T5 / T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.46
Re: Soft Pedal
I'll make sure to check the cap seal but now that the brakes have been re bled the pedal is very firm. Although I haven't gotten a chance to run the car yet.
CAMARONEWBIE is was the brake light switch. thanks
Hopefully i'm ready for the car show friday night
CAMARONEWBIE is was the brake light switch. thanks
Hopefully i'm ready for the car show friday night
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91 Z28 / 04 GTO
Engine: GMPP 350 TPI / LS1
Transmission: WC T5 / T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23 / 3.46
Re: Soft Pedal
Update: The brake light switch with the manifold vacuum was broken and caused the pedal feeling.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post