need some help from you guys - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sam's 72 · 01-25-2003, 05:40 PM

I have a 87 SWB chevy, I just bought the truck, the brakes need a little attention, when you step on the brake peddel, it has a lot of travel before the brake start working, I was told that a brake job was done on the truck 3 months ago, I have not inspected the pads or shoes yet, what will cause this if the pads and the shoes are in good shape? Would it be the brake booster, or the master cylinder? Maybe both?
Sam

bigblock73 · 01-25-2003, 06:08 PM

they might not be properly bled...I would try that first since it is free and fairly easy to do.

-Jeff

79BIG10 · 01-26-2003, 02:58 AM

I agree with Jeff. Bleed the brakes and if that's not it then listen for a WWWOOOSSSSHHHHHHH when you press the brakes when applying with truck running. If thi happens it's your booster going out. If so you might as well change your master cylinder since sometimes they do come in a package as one cheaper. Just make sure to get a NEW not rebilt master cylinder. They're junk otherwise.

ElGracho · 01-26-2003, 03:08 AM

One other thing...
My 84 used to have that long pedal too (I put rear discs on it to fix it once and for all!) anyhow, the rear brake self adjusters would never self adjust. Tighten up the rear drums before you bleed it.

sam's 72 · 01-26-2003, 09:20 AM

79big10,
That whooosh noise your talking about. It does make that noise also, it makes that noise just about the time, the brake pedel bottoms out
sam

bigd65 · 01-26-2003, 09:26 AM

i would still bleed them before you change the master cylinder and booster. if that dont fix it then i would say change them. might just check the rear brakes and see if the adjusters are working as elgracho said

apstguy · 01-26-2003, 01:27 PM

This is a long shot but - the combination valve could have gone bad or have contaminates in it. I don't know of any way to test it, but you could pick one up cheap at the junk yard.

01-25-2003, 05:40 PM	#1
sam's 72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas, USA Posts: 1,005	need some help from you guys I have a 87 SWB chevy, I just bought the truck, the brakes need a little attention, when you step on the brake peddel, it has a lot of travel before the brake start working, I was told that a brake job was done on the truck 3 months ago, I have not inspected the pads or shoes yet, what will cause this if the pads and the shoes are in good shape? Would it be the brake booster, or the master cylinder? Maybe both? Sam __________________ 72 LWB chevy truck. Pasadena, Texas

01-26-2003, 02:58 AM	#3
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,775	I agree with Jeff. Bleed the brakes and if that's not it then listen for a WWWOOOSSSSHHHHHHH when you press the brakes when applying with truck running. If thi happens it's your booster going out. If so you might as well change your master cylinder since sometimes they do come in a package as one cheaper. Just make sure to get a NEW not rebilt master cylinder. They're junk otherwise. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

01-26-2003, 03:08 AM	#4
ElGracho Gentleman Jim Driver Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 1,550	One other thing... My 84 used to have that long pedal too (I put rear discs on it to fix it once and for all!) anyhow, the rear brake self adjusters would never self adjust. Tighten up the rear drums before you bleed it. __________________ Joe '75 GMC Gentleman Jim '84 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super duper plain (manual steering, manual brakes, no dome light, no cig lighter) '85 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super plain Vortec 4.8 4L60E trans also: '81 K30, '83 C30 Crew Dually, '84 M1028 CUCV, '85 M1009 CUCV, another '85 C10 SWB, '89 R3500 Flatbed

01-26-2003, 09:20 AM	#5
sam's 72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas, USA Posts: 1,005	79big10, That whooosh noise your talking about. It does make that noise also, it makes that noise just about the time, the brake pedel bottoms out sam __________________ 72 LWB chevy truck. Pasadena, Texas

01-26-2003, 09:26 AM	#6
bigd65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Lake Jackson, TX. Posts: 1,930	i would still bleed them before you change the master cylinder and booster. if that dont fix it then i would say change them. might just check the rear brakes and see if the adjusters are working as elgracho said __________________ 2004 Silverado Crewcab (Dark Spiral Gray)

01-25-2003, 06:08 PM	#2
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	they might not be properly bled...I would try that first since it is free and fairly easy to do. -Jeff

01-26-2003, 01:27 PM	#7
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,088	This is a long shot but - the combination valve could have gone bad or have contaminates in it. I don't know of any way to test it, but you could pick one up cheap at the junk yard. __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32



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