how do you know when you caliper is "bad"? i can't get the rear brakes to work. the front wheels are extremly hot and a strong burnt brake pad smell coming from the front. the brake pedal has a spongy feel to it. i have since replaced the master cylinder, prop valve, and bled the system(fresh fluid in the whole system). brake pedal is still spongy. No brake light. well i think my rear calipers are bad? i am going to replace the hoses next and hope for the best. any suggestions? comments? any help is appreciated


why the hell am i going throught this crap???

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86',88',89' IROC-Z, 350 TPI, 700-R4

94' Formula, LT1, 6spd



[This message has been edited by mystikkal_69 (edited November 08, 2001).]

 

Your rear calipers could be bad causing your front brakes to do all of the work.

This is a common problem in these cars.

There is a "self adjusting" mechanism in the rear calipers to take up the slack as the pads wear. The self adjuster is enabled when you apply the parking brake. Unfortunately the System wasn't designed particularly well. The spring isn't strong enough and the system is prone to sticking due to rust, and dust build up. GM had a recall going (8 years) to replace the spring for manual transmission cars because the parking brake wouldn't hold the car.
Anyway, if the parking brakes are not applied often enough to keep the system free and working properly the parking brake won't hold the car and the self adjusters don't function either. When this happens the rear brakes lose braking power, and the brake pedal has excessive travel.

 

The recall doesn't just replace the spring, it replaces the entire actuator assembly.

 

Apparently the rear brakes can be a problem; however, I use the e-brake on my 5 speed every time I pull into the garage, and I've never experience any difficulties.

JamesC

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[This message has been edited by JamesC (edited November 09, 2001).]

 

i agree with you IROVKZ4me that the fronts are doing all the work. i'm sorry but i have seemed to have forgot to metion that i have the 89' and up PBR setup and is "supposed" to be better than the 88' and earlier setup (screw-in type). i am really getting tired of this......non fuctioning rear brakes.
i'm starting to think about going drum brakes..... i never had any problems with drums brakes.
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86',88',89' IROC-Z, 350 TPI, 700-R4

94' Formula, LT1, 6spd


[This message has been edited by mystikkal_69 (edited November 09, 2001).]