Drove home from a friends house just now. I noticed that when i hit the brakes i heard what sounds like air coming into the passenger cabin from the brake pedal. So at a stop sign, i pumped the brakes to watch the vacuum increase, and found out i just need to hold the brake after 1 pump for awhile to let the vacuum increase. Usually it increases after 3 or so pumps [sometimes I play with the brake pedal like that at longer traffic lights]. Normally the RPM's increase to 1500, but this time went to 1800 after the continuous 1 pump.
Checked the vacuum lines leading from the carb to the brake booster, and it's fine.

So, does this sound like a brake booster going, or something else??
The only other thing i can think of, is that the PCV valve is connected to the Power Brake vacuum line [has been and has worked fine for the past year], and noticed more dust than usual by the breather on the passenger valve cover.

I go back to school 150 miles away on Monday, and am looking for a quick answer. Thanks guys.
--btw--
the car is a 1984 Trans Am, carbed 350 with a 5 speed.

 

Sounds like booster failure.

Thanx,ANDYZ28

 

Ok, thanks. I was afraid of that. So, is it still safe to drive in traffic or would that be a bad idea?

 

So it's got rear disc brakes? I pulled my 3.73/posi/disc from an '84 trans am, and went through hell until I found out the magical 82-88 GM Rear Caliper Recall!

So say you pump the brakes once, and then quick again- does the car stop normally? The recall involves rear pistons that don't self-adjust. After pads wear, the pistons don't readjust to keep the pads almost touching the rotor. The pistons retract into the caliper bores, and take the inner pads with them. If you see a gap between the inside of your rotor and the innermost brake pad, you've got the problem. (you could remove a rear tire and look through the center hole in the top of the caliper, that's the brake pad inspection hole.) I think the "press brake pedal to floor, release quickly, press brake pedal down again quickly" works because it pushes the pistons out so the pads touch the rotor. When you release the brake pedal, the pistons start to retract, but don't have enought time to, because you're hitting the brakes again. This condition is supposedly caused if you don't use your e-brake all the time when you park- the ratchet inside the caliper gums up and stops working.

Read all about the recall here... and order the kit for $35. If you don't want to try brake work in the short period of time you have, you might want to let a shop put the kit in. Don't know how long the kit would take to come in, though. https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...threadid=78725

Another few messages.. do a search, you'll find more:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=103047
Here's a biggie, lots of info: https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...threadid=94532

 

I would definitly not drive the car in traffic.

I live in Midlothian, so why not drop by my work. I can discuss the problem with you further.

Thanx,ANDYZ28

 

Thanks for the info Tom. I hate to dissapoint since it looks like you took a good amount of time to write that, but the car has rear drums, my bad for not specifying

AndyZ28, got an Instant Messanger name? or PM my other name, which is 84TransAm, thanks.