Have had a problem with my brakes for awhile now. Rear brakes not fully engaging. They have improved somewhat , with continual use of the parking brake when parking. I noticed today while idling at a light. I gave it some gas with my foot on the brake, and noticed my brake pedal come up. I goosed it again and once again my brake pedal came up and felt firmer. I am assuming this is a vacuum related problem. Do you think it is a bad booster? I also notice if I push really hard on the brake pedal, my idle fluctuates.


Thanks
Jeff

 

What, am I overlooking something?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

It doesn't sound like anything is wrong with your brakes. If the booster was bad, belive me, you'd know it.

As for the rear brakes, it's essential on these cars that you regularly use the parking brake to keep them functioning properly.

 

are they drums on the rear? if so, maybe you want to pull the tire & drum and adjust them. the adjuster screw is at the bottom, between the shoes. turn the screw until just before the shoes scrape against the drum (maybe less than 1mm space). it'll take some trial & error. if that doesn't fix it, maybe you got a block or restriction in one of the lines leading from the master cylinder back (the brake circuit is split between front & rear going from the master). try bleeding those rears just for the hell of it. BretD is right - if your booser was bad, the pedal would be unbelievably firm, so you'd know it. if none of this works, remember that about 70% of your braking power comes from your front brakes anyway.

 

The rear brakes are disc. I used to have an 86 I-ROC and never had any rear brake problems. I wish my 92 had the older style rear calipers, instead of these PBR calipers.


Thanks anyway

Jeff