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Topic: No Brake! Only 5,600 miles

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

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No Brake! Only 5,600 miles (1/7)
10/30/15 6:11pm

Shark CE 82
Former Member
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Tinley Park, IL - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Collector's Edition

Joined: 10/30/2015
Posts: 4

Just bought an 82' CE with 5,600 miles, original bill of sale, window sticker, build sheet etc. The car is in great shape. I bought it long distance and had it shipped here. (Chicago area)

I drove the car for about 60 miles last night. As the drive went on, the brake pedal got softer and softer. The brake light came on and stayed on. Now the pedal goes almost all the way to the floor, very little braking power.

I checked the brake fluid, it is full up and looks clean.

I expect a car that is 33 years old that was hardly ever driven to have some issues, which I am prepared for, but where do I start with diagnosing the brake problem before I bring it to a rip-off service place?

Thank You-

-Ray

|UPDATED|10/30/2015 3:11:56 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: No Brake! Only 5,600 miles (2/7)
10/30/15 3:09pm

Adams' Apple

Lifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

Welcome to C3VR!
First thing I would suggest is to bleed all 4 corners to get the air out.....eliminate the most probable cause first.
Normally, when the pedal gets soft after driving a while, it's because one or more of the rotors is warped, or there is a wheel bearing issue that allows the rotors to wobble. When this happens, the caliper pistons become air pumps, sucking air into the brake system.
It's also possible the master cylinder needs rebuilding or replaced after sitting for that long. If both sides of the reservoir are still full, that indicates there are no external leaks(or there is a lot of air in the system).....the fluid is bypassing the seals inside the master.

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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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Re: No Brake! Only 5,600 miles (3/7)
10/30/15 6:26pm

Shark CE 82
Former Member
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Tinley Park, IL - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Collector's Edition

Joined: 10/30/2015
Posts: 4

Adams Apple, thank you for the reply!

I purchased the car from Corvette Mike New England. I have nothing but good things to say about them with the experience of buying the car. It is really sweet and in superb condition. Between them and Corvette Mike Midwest, they strongly feel it is a caliper seal that ruptured, common on the calipers for this generation Corvette due to aluminum calipers reacting with the stainless brake disk pistons.

I guess it happens over time, no matter the mileage. They have not looked at it yet, but feel strongly that that is what it is. Corvette Mike Midwest is going to fix it Monday for me. They have a rebuilt caliper with stainless sleeve for the pistons that have a limited lifetime warranty.

-Ray

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Re: No Brake! Only 5,600 miles (4/7)
10/30/15 8:36pm

johnu
Standard Member
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert

Joined: 5/23/2007
Posts: 614

Let's see some photo's of that low mile gem! I looked at a 15,000 mile '82 last week for an internet buyer and that too was one sweet machine.

I'm doing my expenses for work and I drove 5,000 miles last month alone!

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Only 32 years together

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Re: No Brake! Only 5,600 miles (5/7)
11/6/15 1:39pm

vettejack

Lifetime Member
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Titusville, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Coupe (White), 2006 Convertible (Victory Red). NCM Life Member #2221.

Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 154

Shark CE 82 said: Just bought an 82' CE with 5,600 miles, original bill of sale, window sticker, build sheet etc. The car is in great shape. I bought it long distance and had it shipped here. (Chicago area)

I checked the brake fluid, it is full up and looks clean.

Thank You-

-Ray

That car sounds so dangerous you immediately need to ship it to me here is Florida so the brake fluid stays warm and works properly. Approve

As much as it pains me to hear of your plight, I'll sacrifice my time and take care of those pesky brake issues for you. That's the kind of guy I am! Thumbs Up

(fixed quote box-aapple)

|UPDATED|11/6/2015 10:39:06 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: No Brake! Only 5,600 miles (6/7)
11/6/15 1:40pm

Adams' Apple

Or Texas...it's warm & dry in Texas.... LOL

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Re: No Brake! Only 5,600 miles (7/7)
11/13/15 1:15pm

StingrayHawaii
Standard Member
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Ellijay, GA - USA

Vette(s):
1996 Collector Edition Coupe, LT4, 6 spd 1982 Red on Red, 60k miles 1970 Convert, Maroon, Lt Saddle, 383 4 spd conv with ac 2016 Z-51 yellow Convert, 7 speed (Sold) 1974 Avanti w/Chevy 350 - 4L60 trans 2020 Polaris Slingshot GT LE

Joined: 1/2/2007
Posts: 38

You might check the proportioning valve for leaks, it sometimes will leak a few drops but allow air into the system. If you bleed it and it seems good and then slowly goes down without loosing fluid at the calipers then the Master cyl or proportioning valve may be the culprit!

|UPDATED|11/13/2015 10:15:52 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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