there is alot of play in my brkae pedal latley, and sometimes when i brake the E brake light comes on, its been doing thsi more frequently latly. could this mean my brakes are dead or i jsut need new brake pads? 86 trans am

[This message has been edited by britered86transam (edited November 27, 2001).]

 

try bleeding the brakes, the lines can get air in the system and we all know that air can be compressed. When your pedal goes to the floor, you're just compressing air, not stopping the car. Check the pads too but worn pads should not cause excessive pedal travel.

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84 Z28 L69. 5 speed with 3.73 posi (broken)Ported heads, intake, 10:1 comp. 230/230 .480 lift cam @.050" w/108 LSA

Triumph Spitfire SCCA roadracer. 1.1 liter 4cyl w/ 14:1 comp.
turns on rails!

 

how do i bleed the brakes, i have never had to do that before

 

You need two people to do this. One person in the car to pump the brakes.
You will also need a bleeder can to catch fluid. It's basically a plastic can with a clear tube(auto parts store).

The other person goes to each wheel with a wrench to loosen the bleeder valve on the calipers. Open the valve and say "down" have the guy in the car tell you when his foot hits the floor by saying "down". Do this two or three times and look for air bubbles coming out throught the tube.(warning! keep an eye on the master cylinder and do NOT run it dry! refill as necessary)

Tell the driver "down" and try to catch him mid pump by tightening the valve. If you miss, just do it again. Verify with the driver that you caught him. Do this to all four corners.

My dad and I do this between every race on our race car, the brakes get so hot that they boil the fluid, creating air in the system.

say "down" and "up" both of you, it makes it less likely for messing up.

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84 Z28 L69. 5 speed with 3.73 posi (broken)Ported heads, intake, 10:1 comp. 230/230 .480 lift cam @.050" w/108 LSA

Triumph Spitfire SCCA roadracer. 1.1 liter 4cyl w/ 14:1 comp.
turns on rails!

 

WHOA!! WAIT i forgot 1 thing. Be sure that the driver does not let the brake pedal up EVER unless all valves on the calipers are closed. If any one is open, the system will suck more air in and heighten your problem.

Sorry bout that and it just goes to show that you shouldn't take everything you read here as Bible. It may be wiser for you to take the car to a brake shop, I'm sure it wouldn't cost too much.

 

Well, I've got this same problem, and so does eightTfourTA, and we don't have any air in our system. See this message: https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/003407.html

It's quite interesting that you have this problem, briterd86, and you haven't touched your brake system at all. I converted to rear discs (and had to change my master cylinder), and am having this problem; especially with the BRAKE warning light. I think it might be our rear calipers... as written in my message.

Oh- that's not an E-brake light when the E-brake is down- it's a "unequal fluid pressure" warning light! That means that your front brakes and rear brakes aren't receiving equal pressure... and it warns you to get it fixed quick!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Also when bleeding the brakes, it is best to begin with the brake farthest from the mater cylinder, and proceed closer.

 

On some other cars I owned at one point the brake light comes simply because of low fluid level.

Don't know if this rule applies to 3-gens though.

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