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Soft Pedal

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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 10:39 PM
  #1  
theNMBR27's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Downers Grove, IL
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?
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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 11:07 PM
  #2  
built91Z28's Avatar
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From: Orlando
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

Originally Posted by theNMBR27
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?
If the pedals going to the floor, then there is probably air in the lines still.
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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 11:21 PM
  #3  
theNMBR27's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 516
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From: Downers Grove, IL
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.
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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 11:23 PM
  #4  
built91Z28's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,446
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From: Orlando
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?
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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 11:25 PM
  #5  
Chucklez's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
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From: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Car: 1986 camaro
Engine: carbed 350
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Soft Pedal

lmao that dosent make much sense
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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 11:25 PM
  #6  
theNMBR27's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 516
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From: Downers Grove, IL
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?
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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 11:29 PM
  #7  
built91Z28's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 2
From: Orlando
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.
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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 11:31 PM
  #8  
theNMBR27's Avatar
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 516
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From: Downers Grove, IL
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.
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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 11:34 PM
  #9  
built91Z28's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,446
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From: Orlando
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.
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Old Jul 17, 2010 | 11:37 PM
  #10  
theNMBR27's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 516
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From: Downers Grove, IL
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.
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Old Jul 18, 2010 | 12:07 AM
  #11  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
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From: Cary, North Carolina
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!
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 09:07 AM
  #12  
HF_monster's Avatar
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 212
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From: colorado
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.
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Old Jul 19, 2010 | 10:44 AM
  #13  
theNMBR27's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: Downers Grove, IL
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
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Old Jul 23, 2010 | 10:09 AM
  #14  
theNMBR27's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: Downers Grove, IL
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.
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