Help! Funky, soggy brakes on 88 C4

[christophervan]

I just got my first vette, an 88 from a friend, it's been basically in storage for 10 years. He always complaned about the brakes, before he would sell it to me had them repaired, they put a new vacuum booster in it. Well, in my opinion something is still weird. They seem to stop the car, but My 72 GMfC truck and my 04 Tahoe are much better.
Do these cars have weak brakes? Is there something I could look for?
as is stands, it has new pads in the rear, all rotors have been turned and are within spec, it's at a shop and the owner tells me they do not feel right to him but everything checks out good, other than the way they feel and perform.

Any advice will be much apreciated before I pay for a witch hunt.
Thanks!

 

[vetteoz]

Older C4 brakes are not up to par with latest cars.
Did they flush the lines and replace the brake fluid when the repair work was done? Brake fluid absorbs moisture and that commonly causes the soggy feeling.
Also rubber brake hoses breakdown with age so they expand under pressure reducing the force at the calipers.

 

[ZumZum]

Also check the flexible brake lines at each wheel. As they age they will balloon out some under pressure causing a spongey feel. I replaced mine with braided SS lines.

 

[Schrade]

I vote for air in the master cylinder.

If so, it's a headache bleeding them (so I read)... Don't pay mechanics to do stuff, until they SHOW you what they've found, including the test that SHOWS it... for example, no current TO the ABS sensor, or the ABS sensor ground wire that doesn't ground properly, BEFORE they say, "Probably ABS fault - we can replace it" (that's an EXAMPLE - NOT likely YOUR problem).

 

[vigman]

Brake fluid is hydroscopic

And if it's been sitting for 10 years, in Oregon.. it's WELL PAST DUE for at minimum a full flush...

Open the master... what color is it? ( wesson oil yellow is the proper answer )

If it's tan.. or darker.. your done son...

My 88 rear seals in the master were gone and I was bleeding out the back..

ABS doesn't help as far as the brake " feel "...

What type of pads do you have??

I also agree that the old rubber lines can bulge a bit under pressure.. but if they do.. your REALLY close to a split or leak...

Brakes are REALLY important on a car as heavy as a Vette.

Assume you miss stopping by 1 foot and rear end someone, due to poor performing brakes... the costs of the repair outweigh the investment of the brake job.

My .02

Vig~

 

[christophervan]

Thanks all!
Not sure on the type of pads, the front ones are getting replace...anysuggestions?
also, it appears two calipers, i front and 1 rear actually flex when applied.
So, I'm thinking replace the master, new front pads, new hoses...are braided the way to go? and of course flush the system.

 

[Schrade]

Thanks all!
Not sure on the type of pads, the front ones are getting replace...anysuggestions?
also, it appears two calipers, i front and 1 rear actually flex when applied.
So, I'm thinking replace the master, new front pads, new hoses...are braided the way to go? and of course flush the system.

Why replace everything, if it might only be some air in the line? If you're rich, can I have some cash PM me?

 

[christophervan]

Why replace everything, if it might only be some air in the line? If you're rich, can I have some cash PM me?

Only rich in thought, but if I get rich I'll get back in touch.

I already looked into that, just want the to stop proper and consistant, I'd rather spend a few extra $'s now then later. I bought it right, knowing I'd have to dump a few bucks in, especially the brakes!

But thanks for the advice.

 

[vigman]

Inspect, consider, replace as needed

If nothing else BLEED THE SYSTEM...

Then if that doesnt work.. replace as needed...

But my moneys on doing it right the first time

 

[christophervan]

Thanks, I'll do it and let you know in a day or two what the deal is or was.....hopefully was!