Hey guys, I'm still trying to get my '88 Sport Coupe roadworthy and have ran into a weird issue I think is brake related. The car runs great after you first start her up and has good pep (for a 2.8l at least ), until after driving the car around for awhile. She'll brake pretty fine, but I noticed earlier the car came to a complete stop, then lunged forward a bit and would not come to a complete stop again (it was inching forward). Then after more driving (and braking) the car gets to a point where even laying down on the gas won't make the car go any faster than she will at idle. I don't hear any abnormal noises when this happens. The car had been sitting for a few years at most when I bought her, and of course I'm going to go through the brake system and make sure everything is good order/install new brakes before hitting the road, I just want to know what you guys think is going on with them for now?

P.S- The issue will go away overnight, the next day the car will start right up and speed off fine as if nothing happened!

Thanks in advance

 

That doesnt quite sound like a brake issue to me. if the car tries to lunge forward while your stopped seems like an engine related issue and is overpowering through your brakes.

Now since the car has sat a long time and you should go through the entire system for your own peace of mind..absolutely.Check all the lines for cracks/leaks,new pads and rotors all around and fluid flush.Check the master/booster and also make sure the big vacuum line to the booster isnt cracked and the check valve its connected to is functional.

Your issues of the car not wanting to idle anymore after its at operating temps is a whole other symptom.If the booster vacuum line had a crack in it..then chances are..you would have weak braking..and a high idle/erractic idle..the car essentially would drive ok.More info interms of exactly how it dies..if there are any warning lights...does it start right back up after it dies or does it have to sit overnight first before it will start again. those are things your going to have to dig deeper to figure out whats causing your headaches.

 

Sorry maybe I wasn't clear, the car runs and idles great, when I said lunge I didn't mean the car was over powering the brakes, but more as if the brakes were failing to hold the car at a standstill. After driving the car around and making stops she'll lose power not slowly but suddenly, making think maybe a brake is sticking and holding the car back, then un-sticking after the car has sat for awhile.

Regardless, I will be going through the system. The car didn't sit THAT long, but still for my own peace of mind I'd like to know what I'm driving with now that she's in my hands

 

Water saturated brake fluid will do this. The H2O causes the fluid to boil at a low temperature, which then creates pressure in the brake system locking up the brakes. Car won't move until either:

The brake fluid cools down or opening a bleeder to relieve the pressure.

BTDT... (wasn't my car, a fluid flush fixed the issue).

RBob.

 

Thanks Bob, will be sure to check out my fluid when I go through my brakes

 

If it was something else such as a sticking caliper you would smell the brakes cooking. You can check that real quick with a short drive and an infrared thermometer if you have one. Just drive a few blocks and see if there is a significant difference in temp from side to side. Remember the front will be naturally hotter than the rear especially if you have rear drums.

 

Could be the front caliper pistons are sticking and won't release when hot. That was a common problem on Chrysler products in the 70's and 80's

 

I'm leaning towards sticking caliper now guys, car has no improvement but I can hear rubbing coming from my right wheel, along with the car swerving to right while trying to go down a straight line. Brake job here I come

 

You definitely got a sticking caliper.

 

Be sure to replace the flex lines. They go bad and cause this pulling issue.

RBob.

 

Yes. Swap those rubber brake hoses.
They WILL corrode internally and cause open or locked up brakes after sitting around for a while.