Brakes... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Chevelle454 · 01-12-2005, 09:54 PM

I have a soft brake pedal in my car, it has to be at least half way to the floor before the brakes start to apply. I am thinking that the master cylinder is the problem. Any suggestions? It's kinda tricky driving, especially in the winter....

-Scott

chevydog66 · 01-12-2005, 10:07 PM

Try burping or bleeding each wheel cylinder or caliper, starting with the back, farthest from the Master Cylinder, working your way forward to the one closest to the master cylinder. How old is the brake fluid? Contamination is brutal on brakes, and the fluid must be kept clean.

3 on the tree · 01-12-2005, 10:09 PM

How much brake fluid is in your master cylinder? If it is lower than normal, my guess would be a leaking rear wheel cylinder. Try applying steady pressure on your brake pedal. If the pedal slowly goes to the floor, and you are not losing brake fluid, then master cylinder is the culprit.

Chevelle454 · 01-12-2005, 10:11 PM

I already bled the brakes, but that's as far as I got. I don't know what else I could try without throwing money at this daily driver.

Longhorn Man · 01-12-2005, 10:23 PM

Reach down with your hand and depress the pedal. If there is some movement that has little to no resistance, then adjusting the pushrod should take up the slack.
Has your master cylinder been chainged out recently?

Chevelle454 · 01-12-2005, 10:45 PM

Yeah I can slowly push it all the way to the floor if I am at a stop sign. It does not leak any fluid, I have checked the fluid level and it's full. I will look through the service records and see if one has ever been replaced. It's kinda nice to have all the records since it was new...

Longhorn Man · 01-12-2005, 11:05 PM

if it is sinking to the floor, then you need to replace the master. I misread what you were describing.

Chevelle454 · 01-12-2005, 11:40 PM

I can't find any record of the master cylinder ever being replaced, so I guess that is what I will do. Do I have to go through and bleed all the brakes after it's installed?

Longhorn Man · 01-13-2005, 12:15 AM

only if you want to stop.

01-12-2005, 09:54 PM	#1
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	Brakes... I have a soft brake pedal in my car, it has to be at least half way to the floor before the brakes start to apply. I am thinking that the master cylinder is the problem. Any suggestions? It's kinda tricky driving, especially in the winter.... -Scott __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

01-12-2005, 10:07 PM	#2
chevydog66 GM ONLY BABY!!! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Fort Wayne, IN. Posts: 1,998	Try burping or bleeding each wheel cylinder or caliper, starting with the back, farthest from the Master Cylinder, working your way forward to the one closest to the master cylinder. How old is the brake fluid? Contamination is brutal on brakes, and the fluid must be kept clean. __________________ 2 wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do. 66 Chevelle Malibu 406ci, 573hp, 10.99@121mph 96 Chevy Silverado Z71 72 GMC 1500 Super Custom LS 6.0/4L65 on airride http://www.cardomain.com/ride/707879...mc-c-k-pick-up

01-12-2005, 10:11 PM	#4
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	I already bled the brakes, but that's as far as I got. I don't know what else I could try without throwing money at this daily driver. __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

01-12-2005, 10:45 PM	#6
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	Yeah I can slowly push it all the way to the floor if I am at a stop sign. It does not leak any fluid, I have checked the fluid level and it's full. I will look through the service records and see if one has ever been replaced. It's kinda nice to have all the records since it was new... __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

01-12-2005, 11:40 PM	#8
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	I can't find any record of the master cylinder ever being replaced, so I guess that is what I will do. Do I have to go through and bleed all the brakes after it's installed? __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

01-12-2005, 10:09 PM	#3
3 on the tree Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 393	How much brake fluid is in your master cylinder? If it is lower than normal, my guess would be a leaking rear wheel cylinder. Try applying steady pressure on your brake pedal. If the pedal slowly goes to the floor, and you are not losing brake fluid, then master cylinder is the culprit.

01-12-2005, 10:23 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Reach down with your hand and depress the pedal. If there is some movement that has little to no resistance, then adjusting the pushrod should take up the slack. Has your master cylinder been chainged out recently?

01-12-2005, 11:05 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	if it is sinking to the floor, then you need to replace the master. I misread what you were describing.

01-13-2005, 12:15 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	only if you want to stop.



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