'89 GTA Daily Driver with Bad Brakes
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From: Tucson, Az
Car: Don't
Engine: have
Transmission: it
Axle/Gears: anymore
'89 GTA Daily Driver with Bad Brakes
Yesterday when I left for work, I noticed my brake pedal traveled all the way to the floor. There is hardly any pressure at all and I have to press the brake from a farther distance back when I approach a stop light (I can manage for now). My brake light on my dash is also on as well as the reservoir is full. I suspect its the stupid down ramp I go down mostly everyday at my work to reach employee parking (my low ride height doesn't help 
). Its full of real jagged rocks and pot holes so I think I might of developed an air leak into the system going down it everyday. The brakes were working fine a few days ago. Anyone know what the cause might be? Thanks in advance.
Phoenix
). Its full of real jagged rocks and pot holes so I think I might of developed an air leak into the system going down it everyday. The brakes were working fine a few days ago. Anyone know what the cause might be? Thanks in advance.Phoenix
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: '89 GTA Daily Driver with Bad Brakes
I suspect that only your rear brakes are functioning.
Brake light warning switch--or pressure differential valve--lights a dash-warning lamp if either front or rear brake systems fail.
Something in the following link on master cylinders may be helpful:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...air-101-a.html
JamesC
Brake light warning switch--or pressure differential valve--lights a dash-warning lamp if either front or rear brake systems fail.
Something in the following link on master cylinders may be helpful:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/brak...air-101-a.html
JamesC
Last edited by JamesC; Dec 27, 2009 at 06:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Tucson, Az
Car: Don't
Engine: have
Transmission: it
Axle/Gears: anymore
Re: '89 GTA Daily Driver with Bad Brakes
Thanks for the link JamesC, lots of good info. Hopefully I'll have this fixed real soon and post my cause and solution.
Thanks,
Phoenix
Thanks,
Phoenix
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: '89 GTA Daily Driver with Bad Brakes
Didn't read the link from James C - but if there's no fluid loss, first thing I'd do is replace the rubber lines on all 4 corners - they get old and stretch with the fluid pressure, so the fluid pressure never reaches the caliper since it's being dissipated in the expanding rubber line.
And, unless your pads are brand new, your resevoir should NOT be full - never add fluid to a brake resevoir unless you've had a leak. Next time you go to replace pads, the new thicker pad will force fluid back into the resevoir causing an overflow of brake fluid and make a mess. Brakes are a sealed system and should never have fluid added unless there is a leak.
And, unless your pads are brand new, your resevoir should NOT be full - never add fluid to a brake resevoir unless you've had a leak. Next time you go to replace pads, the new thicker pad will force fluid back into the resevoir causing an overflow of brake fluid and make a mess. Brakes are a sealed system and should never have fluid added unless there is a leak.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Brakes Break
Definitely sounds like air in the system.
You can easily check JamesC’s suggestion that only the rears are working VIA stepping on the loud pedal a couple of seconds so you’re up to highway
speed, then brake hard, stop and get out to shoot brake temperatures.
If you don’t have an IR gun your hand will suffice.
In a properly operating system the fronts will be warmer than the rears.
Of course due to the fact your brakes have a problem choose an empty stretch of road with plenty of coast down room.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
If People Drove Any Slower They’d Be Going Backwards
When you see fog lights on in good weather beware. Low performance driver ahead.
How bout those nitwits too scared to drive without headlights in the daytime, and the nitwits that need headlights for a little rain
.
.
You can easily check JamesC’s suggestion that only the rears are working VIA stepping on the loud pedal a couple of seconds so you’re up to highway
speed, then brake hard, stop and get out to shoot brake temperatures.
If you don’t have an IR gun your hand will suffice.
In a properly operating system the fronts will be warmer than the rears.
Of course due to the fact your brakes have a problem choose an empty stretch of road with plenty of coast down room.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
If People Drove Any Slower They’d Be Going BackwardsWhen you see fog lights on in good weather beware. Low performance driver ahead.
How bout those nitwits too scared to drive without headlights in the daytime, and the nitwits that need headlights for a little rain
.
.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 659
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, Az
Car: Don't
Engine: have
Transmission: it
Axle/Gears: anymore
Re: '89 GTA Daily Driver with Bad Brakes
Didn't read the link from James C - but if there's no fluid loss, first thing I'd do is replace the rubber lines on all 4 corners - they get old and stretch with the fluid pressure, so the fluid pressure never reaches the caliper since it's being dissipated in the expanding rubber line.
And, unless your pads are brand new, your resevoir should NOT be full - never add fluid to a brake resevoir unless you've had a leak. Next time you go to replace pads, the new thicker pad will force fluid back into the resevoir causing an overflow of brake fluid and make a mess. Brakes are a sealed system and should never have fluid added unless there is a leak.
And, unless your pads are brand new, your resevoir should NOT be full - never add fluid to a brake resevoir unless you've had a leak. Next time you go to replace pads, the new thicker pad will force fluid back into the resevoir causing an overflow of brake fluid and make a mess. Brakes are a sealed system and should never have fluid added unless there is a leak.
.Phoenix
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