Hi all!
I've got a question I'm hoping someone can answer for me....
I redid the brakes on my '76, due to the pedal going all the way to the floor.
I replaced all 4 calipers with sleeved calipers, the master cylinder, & the shoes. The old shoes were worn at an angle, like only 1/2 the caliper's pistons were working, & the master was leaking. The Vette has power brakes.
Anyway, now I hit the pedal, the pedal goes about 1/2 way down, the brakes are stopping the car fine, not locking up unless I really shove on the pedal. They are stopping straight, with no pulling, there is no leaks underneath, I've pressure bled everything, & the calipers are moving the shoes as required. I don't really know how to explain it, but they just don't feel like they should with replacement of the calipers/shoes/master. I've done brakes on other cars, & the pedal is solid when pushed, & will lock them up with not much effort.
I guess my question is how much pedal is required to work the brakes, could I have forgotten something, is there something special to the car that needs to be done, I bled them in the order called for in the manual I'm using: Which was backwards to what I'm used to.
I guess I'm expecting a "toe-touch" to work them there monsters, with little pedal travel, or is this one of those things that are unique to the C3? I checked the flexible lines, & they look good, with no leaks or anything. Is there anything with the proportioning valve I need to do?
I know I'm sounding pretty stupid here. Just not sure, & I knew someone out here will have the answer!

Thanks much to all!
John

John,

I just finished putting everything back together on "The Toy" after rebuilding the rear calipers. I haven't taken it out for a test drive yet (got too late this evening by the time I finished up), but the pedal feels pretty solid after bleeding all of the lines. It only goes about a 1/3 of the way to the floor, which is normal for my car. I don't have the power boost so don't know how much pedal travel is normal for them.

Had a second thought - this may be a dumb question, but did you remember to top the master cylinder after finishing the bleeding? I've forgotten that step a time or two in the past and felt pretty stupid when I pop the top off the master to discover one side or the other a little low on fluid.

Other than that, you may still have some air in the system. I know it is a pain to do by yourself, but I'd rebleed the lines to double check. If the pedal travel remains the same after that then I'd have to assume that much is normal for your car.

Any other ideas troops?

|UPDATED|10/13/2002 11:56:09 PM|/UPDATED|

Hi!
Yep, I checked & topped off the master after bleeding. I'll try bleeding them again, & see if it is any different.
Thanks for the response. I'm feeling pretty stupid about this as it is.

Thanks!

John - '76 Coupe

John, is your brake booster ok? Try pulling the vacuum hose off at the booster, if the engine speed does not change then you probably need a new booster.

Mark

Hi!
Thanks, I'll try that when I get home this morning.
Could the proportioning valve cause any problems like this? Is there any checks I could do for it?
Thanks again,
John

Jp42Vette - '76 Coupe

Thanks, I checked the booster, that works fine. I've been driving all over, & I guess I'm getting used to them.
Thanks Much!

I remeber when my brakes were completely replaced. My pedal went about half way to the floor but once it got to the halfway mark it was fairly firm. I thought it felt funny and had too much travel, till I thought about it and realized it traveled that far before the brakes started to act up. Could it be that your pedal always went half way to the floor but it just feels a little different because you have the piston working correctly now?

Hi! You know, I'll bet you're right! I gave it some thought after your reply. The brakes were flakey since I got her, & now that they are working, that's probably what is feeling wierd. Just not used to working brakes! I really appreciate all the help I've been given here. Every time I've had a question, there's been plenty of help.
Thank Yall very much!!
John