NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder
Thanks to all that helped with the MC advise, but I'm having second thoughts about the cause. Does anyone know how to tell for sure if its the MC or Brake Booster? Here are the symptoms...
Suddenly lost brake pressure, and pedal went straight to the floor. No previous symptoms.
No Leaks and Fluid is full.
While dirving it home I heard a faint horn like sound when stopping.
Brake Booster was replaced about 1-1/2 yrs ago. I remember loosing the brake pressure little by little back then unlike today.
Its an Automatic.
Any help would be appriciated!!!
:flag
Suddenly lost brake pressure, and pedal went straight to the floor. No previous symptoms.
No Leaks and Fluid is full.
While dirving it home I heard a faint horn like sound when stopping.
Brake Booster was replaced about 1-1/2 yrs ago. I remember loosing the brake pressure little by little back then unlike today.
Its an Automatic.
Any help would be appriciated!!!
:flag
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jun 2002
Location: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Triple Black 88)
The usual suspects:
Bad master = soft pedal
bad booster = hard pedal
Good luck :cheers:
Bad master = soft pedal
bad booster = hard pedal
Good luck :cheers:
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
Posts: 59,663
Received 1,401 Likes
on
1,017 Posts
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Triple Black 88)
:iagree: you have a bad MC
#6
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Triple Black 88)
Your symptoms are similar to a brake fluid failure. I would recommend a full flush of brake fluid with new before any replacement of parts. If the failure occurs after hard braking, or repeated hard braking this is almost certain that the brake fluid has failed.
You need to fully flush your brake fluid every two years. The OEM's will argue with this, but the SAE guys have significant different views on this matter. New SAE specs are forthcoming. A really good cheap fluid is FORD DOT3 HP fluid.
I would flush before parts. A professional power flush is a good idea, based upon the success of back-yard flushes on this forum.
Good Luck
Pete
You need to fully flush your brake fluid every two years. The OEM's will argue with this, but the SAE guys have significant different views on this matter. New SAE specs are forthcoming. A really good cheap fluid is FORD DOT3 HP fluid.
I would flush before parts. A professional power flush is a good idea, based upon the success of back-yard flushes on this forum.
Good Luck
Pete
#7
Race Director
Member Since: Aug 2002
Location: tucson AZ
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Triple Black 88)
I must apologize as I got carried away with how good your vette looks....
Damn its great...
To repair it right...get a pro.....with a guaranty....Makes sence dosen't it??????
Zanio???? or what.....
thanks
tony
:flag :flag :flag
[Modified by oldace84, 12:41 AM 6/25/2003]
Damn its great...
To repair it right...get a pro.....with a guaranty....Makes sence dosen't it??????
Zanio???? or what.....
thanks
tony
:flag :flag :flag
[Modified by oldace84, 12:41 AM 6/25/2003]
#8
Race Director
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (JCAIRE2)
The usual suspects:
Bad master = soft pedal
bad booster = hard pedal
Good luck :cheers:
Bad master = soft pedal
bad booster = hard pedal
Good luck :cheers:
Booster helps you apply pressure to the master... If the pedal is to the floor and I assume your not the HULK then you have a bad master cylinder.
#9
Team Owner
Member Since: May 2002
Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
16 Posts
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Bluewasp)
Those are symptoms of a bad master cylinder, but I'd try flushing the fluid first.
Old fluid gets contaminated.. attracts water, rusts out the lines, and crap gets into the master cylinder o-ring and prevents it from sealing properly. If it goes on for too long like this, it'll corrode and gouge the cylinder's surfaces.
Old fluid gets contaminated.. attracts water, rusts out the lines, and crap gets into the master cylinder o-ring and prevents it from sealing properly. If it goes on for too long like this, it'll corrode and gouge the cylinder's surfaces.
#10
Instructor
Member Since: May 2003
Location: San Jose CA
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Triple Black 88)
Check all calipers and confirm you have no leaks. If everything is clean you have a bad master cylinder. If you lose a booster you can stick your head under the dash and hear the leak. The effect will be greatly increased pedal pressure to stop. The last time I lost my booster I was doing 130 mph on the track and had to get around a 90 degree corner. If I hadn't had C5 brakes on my C4 I'd still be mowing weeds. :party: :party:
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (oldace84)
I must apologize as I got carried away with how good your vette looks....
Damn its great...
Zanio???? or what.....
thanks
tony
Damn its great...
Zanio???? or what.....
thanks
tony
:mad Get this, I called the shop that gave me the $380 quote, and saked him to break down the price. He said $300 for the MC and $80 for the labor. I said I can get a new one with lifetime warranty for $165 at Auto Zone and asked if he could install it for $80. He said no. :mad I said you just told me you were going to charge me $80 labor. He said we make $$$ off the part to, so add another $50 to install "your" MC. :rolleyes: :lol: :nonod: :skep:
Well needless to say I'm not going to have him do it.
#12
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2002
Location: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Triple Black 88)
He said we make $$$ off the part to, so add another $50 to install "your" MC. :rolleyes: :lol: :nonod: :skep:
Well needless to say I'm not going to have him do it.
Well needless to say I'm not going to have him do it.
#13
Team Owner
Member Since: May 2002
Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
16 Posts
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Triple Black 88)
They typically overcharge on parts... but $300 is ridiculous.
I say go for it! If you run into any snags during the install... we'll be here to help. :yesnod: :grouphug:
I say go for it! If you run into any snags during the install... we'll be here to help. :yesnod: :grouphug:
#14
Race Director
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Triple Black 88)
For that kind of money I would just do it your self.... make sure you bench bleed the new one.
I must apologize as I got carried away with how good your vette looks....
Damn its great...
Zanio???? or what.....
thanks
tony
Thanks for the compliment...yes I use Zaino.
:mad Get this, I called the shop that gave me the $380 quote, and saked him to break down the price. He said $300 for the MC and $80 for the labor. I said I can get a new one with lifetime warranty for $165 at Auto Zone and asked if he could install it for $80. He said no. :mad I said you just told me you were going to charge me $80 labor. He said we make $$$ off the part to, so add another $50 to install "your" MC. :rolleyes: :lol: :nonod: :skep:
Well needless to say I'm not going to have him do it.
Damn its great...
Zanio???? or what.....
thanks
tony
Thanks for the compliment...yes I use Zaino.
:mad Get this, I called the shop that gave me the $380 quote, and saked him to break down the price. He said $300 for the MC and $80 for the labor. I said I can get a new one with lifetime warranty for $165 at Auto Zone and asked if he could install it for $80. He said no. :mad I said you just told me you were going to charge me $80 labor. He said we make $$$ off the part to, so add another $50 to install "your" MC. :rolleyes: :lol: :nonod: :skep:
Well needless to say I'm not going to have him do it.
#15
Team Owner
Member Since: May 2002
Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
16 Posts
Re: NO BRAKES...Brake Booster or Master Cylinder (Bluewasp)
All you need to bench bleed it is some little vacuum port fittings and tubes (or just get the little kit at the autoparts store for $5)
Find a nice hard surface to push against, and something you don't mind getting messy.
I just used a highlighter marker, and shoved the piston in by hand a bunch of times slowly.... with the rubber tubes going back into the reservoirs. Werked 4 me! Althought I did it on the top of the washing machine.. so I dripped brake fluid into there. :D Don't tell my roommates!
Find a nice hard surface to push against, and something you don't mind getting messy.
I just used a highlighter marker, and shoved the piston in by hand a bunch of times slowly.... with the rubber tubes going back into the reservoirs. Werked 4 me! Althought I did it on the top of the washing machine.. so I dripped brake fluid into there. :D Don't tell my roommates!