I gots a problem with my brakes.

[caddy]

I was driving to work this morning and all of a sudden It was a little hard to stop, Like my brakes wern't working, I figure I might have a vaccuum leak, I can stop but it sure is hard, anyway while I'm sitting at a light I turn the radio down and with my foot on the clutch and the other on the brake I hear this hissing noise and then when I release the brake it stops, that's what makes me think it could be a vaccuum leak, now does anyone have any idea where I should start to look? I got out and opened the hood and just took a quick look around the booster but didn't see anything, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Oh by the way it's a 94 LT1 coupe with a 6 speed
thanks

 

[Edmond]

Do you really have to push down hard on the brake pedal? If so, it could be the booster going south. I did mine this past spring and it was just as you described. It would hiss when you pushed the brake pedal and the car would stop, but it wouldn't stop like it should.

 

[caddy]

Was it difficult to replace?
And if you don't mind me asking, what did it set you back? $$$
thanks

 

[Edmond]

Was it difficult to replace?
And if you don't mind me asking, what did it set you back? $$$
thanks

In all honesty, it was quite difficult to replace. Not because it was labor intensive or anything like that. It was just having to hang upside down to get access to the two nuts holding the unit on. The booster is the circular unit behind the master cylinder and imagine having to get access to the inside of that unit. You can't do it squating down because you won't be able to see the nuts. You'll need a universal along with some extensions.

It took me 4 hours to do it. I could only work for a few minutes before the blood kept rushing to my head and I'd get dizzy. So I'd work for a few minutes, take a few minutes off.

It wasn't very much. I got a rebuilt unit for less than $140 from the local auto parts store. It has a lifetime warranty so I'm not worried about it being a rebuilt unit.

The technical name of the part is the power brake booster.

 

[caddy]

Thanks a bunch..........by the way are the bolts up under the dash?

 

[Redmanf1]

Yes, they are way up there and are no fun to reach.

 

[Edmond]

Yes, they are way up there and are no fun to reach.

That is the understatement of the year!:L:L:L

Caddy,


You'll be taking off the padded panel that's right above your knees. Don't forget to disconnect the light! You'll see the bolts right up there.

 

[caddy]

Oh, boy this sounds like a lot of fun...................Is it worth the try or should I just Pay someone shop to do it?

 

[Edmond]

Oh, boy this sounds like a lot of fun...................Is it worth the try or should I just Pay someone shop to do it?

It's definitely worth trying, not impossible to do but quite a task. I couldn't justify paying someone else to do it so I rolled up the sleeves and did it myself.

 

[caddy]

Well I guess I'll call around and get the best price I can and then do the same..............Roll up my sleeves and tell my son to help me..............thanks for all the info

 

[caddy]

I'm curious, when replacing the brake booster would you recommend or suggest replaing the Master Cylinder at the same time or is it really necessary? If so how much does that and the booster run? thanks

 

[Edmond]

I'm curious, when replacing the brake booster would you recommend or suggest replaing the Master Cylinder at the same time or is it really necessary? If so how much does that and the booster run? thanks

I would not replace the master cylinder unless you had to. It's quite easy to replace the master cylinder down the line when it needs to be.

 

[kingman]

power brake booster??

HI

My 96 with 46,000 miles seems to feel like the power brakes are semi power. By that l mean that l really have to get on them to stop. They stop, but l have to really push down.

It is quite a different feeling then my Volvo and Jaguar. Should l bring it in to my dealer or just ignore it??

Alan

 

[Edmond]

Re: power brake booster??

HI

My 96 with 46,000 miles seems to feel like the power brakes are semi power. By that l mean that l really have to get on them to stop. They stop, but l have to really push down.

It is quite a different feeling then my Volvo and Jaguar. Should l bring it in to my dealer or just ignore it??

Alan

Alan,

DON'T EVER ignore a brake problem. Is it hissing? Do you have any mechanic buddies who can check it out?

Check on that immediately!

 

[kingman]

Brakes

HI Edmond

I had my brakes checked out in Feb and in June (changed my brake pads at my dealer). Both times the car was road tested. The car stops without any problem or noise, it's just not as smooth as my other cars.

l'm used to putting my foot on the brake without any effort and the car just stops. It has been too long for me to remember how my past vettes felt.

Thanks

Alan