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I've had it.

Started by 2Sharks · Tue 2008-03-11 (18 years ago) · in Corvette Wagons

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Tue 2008-03-11 (18 years ago)

Moved the wagon yesterday and I am fed up with it. The car has been together for a year almost and I have not put 100 miles on it.
NO BRAKES.
The goober I got it from said they were new.
I brought it to work today and removed the "new" calipers. No leaks, but I know air and go in where fluid will not come out. I have power blead, gravity, etc, etc, and still no decent pedal.

Here is the plan, I have ordered new O ring calipers, new pads, new rotors. the master cylinder and lines are new.
If this doesnt fix it, I am setting the damn thing on fire!!!x(

"Randy"

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Tue 2008-03-11 (18 years ago)

RANDY!!! PUT THE FIRESTICK DOWN AND BACK AWAY SLOWLY!!!

Whew...for a minute there, I thought you were serious...;)

You were kidding, right?

Does this Damn Yankee have to come down there and remove all matches/torches/cherry bombs and other fire emitting items from the premises???

Glad ta see you is havin fun in da garage dare agin ol buddy...kick ya a few of dem dustbunnies for me...:D

Last words in fatal accidents for 49 of 50 states are "Oh Sh*t!" Final words in Wisconsin are "Hold my beer, I'm gonna try somethin'..."

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Tue 2008-03-11 (18 years ago)

Randy, I feel your pain...................... As you know, I've fought with them an a couple of my vettes now........... VERY FRUSTRATING !!! Good luck --- with the weather warming up, I know you want to get out and drive her !!!!!!!! x(

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Wed 2008-03-12 (18 years ago) · edited by 2Sharks

I did find the rear rotors to have much wear, including several large grooves. the front ones had much wear also, so its a good idea to change them out. On a different note, took the roadking for a spin after work, next thing I knew it was 10:30. It sure gets cold when the sun goes down, thanks for gloves and a windshield.
I have done a bunch to this bike over the last month, including a new paint job. Like everything else, switched from gold to black. Guess I will never learn. Mainly trying to keep busy to fight the "lonely" demons....

"Randy"

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Sun 2008-03-16 (18 years ago)

Here is what I have done to the system:
New lines.
New Rotors.
New Pads.
New Calipers (o ring style)
New Master cylinder.
New Brake booster.
And, of course, all new fluid.
Here is the result......

NO F*&%ING BRAKES!!!!!!!!

No, sub standard parts were used, all name brand stuff.

In conclusion..... car "off" sitting. brake pedal is as hard as Marv's head.
Car with engine running...... pedal is as soft as my ...uh... never mind.
Result is that the new "vette brakes products" power brake booster is bad. Now for those of you who are familiar with corvettes, especially C3s, know replacing the power brake booster is probably the hardest job there is. That and a heater core.
So, next week, I am going to take out the seat, column, dash, and replace that #$%$##@ brake booster AGAIN. I plan on going to knoxville and if they are there, I probably will make a big scene.
Sometimes it ain't easy being me.
Now, where did I put that lighter fluid and those matches......

:(

"Randy"

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Sun 2008-03-16 (18 years ago) · edited by 454CanAm

Randy, I thought you'd "GET ER DONE" this time !

When I got a rebuilt master cylinder from VB&P, I never could get any brake pedal at all.............. got a $16.99 rebuild from Autozone and had brakes in no time ! Also, the vacuum "thingy" on their rebuilt booster was bad, so I got a new one of those too .

Get a midget to walk under your dash......... they can get those nuts dislodged in no time !!!

Actually, I found that using a bunch of wobble extensions helps tremendously with getting those pesky nuts off. The main thing I have had trouble with is getting that dam#$% clip off the pivot pin. Found out a pair of curved needlenose pliers works wonders with that !!!!!!!!!!

You know some cars just act that way to pi$$ you off............. I know it ain't easy being you buddy...... Good luck ! Rick

One other thing........... what kind of fluid are you using ??? I like using the silicone (see, it's used for things other than implants !)...........but the drawback is its real hard to get the air bubbles out of the silicone fluid....... but I imagine you already knew that !!!

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Mon 2008-03-17 (18 years ago)

Well...one thing for sure...it ain't easy being you...:D
I thought you had it whipped this time, but now I hope I don't have to come to TN and bail you out...;-)

I replaced a C3 booster assy a few years ago and I like Rick's thoughts on how to get at the nuts and pin...I had 2 left hands without opposing thumbs and it wasn't easy.

Hope you went for a bike ride to clear your head after all that...

Last words in fatal accidents for 49 of 50 states are "Oh Sh*t!" Final words in Wisconsin are "Hold my beer, I'm gonna try somethin'..."

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Wed 2008-03-19 (18 years ago)

One word-Hydroboost.

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Thu 2008-03-20 (18 years ago)

I have ordered those speedbleeders just to satisfy all of those naysayers who think I still have air in the lines.
I am seriously looking into hydroboost.
We will see what develops, but it is frustrating beyond belief, especially with my fragile state of mind.... now where did I put that handgun.....

"Randy"

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Thu 2008-03-20 (18 years ago)

whats hydroboost?

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Fri 2008-03-21 (18 years ago)

RB-

Hydroboost replaces the power brake canister with one run under preasure via the p/s pump. Great when running a hairy cam. GM used it alot from the 90's on.

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Tue 2008-04-01 (18 years ago)

Randy, haven't heard from you................. have you gotten anywhere with your brakes ? Inquiring minds want to know !

Hope you're having some luck with them now........... let us know ! Rick

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Wed 2008-04-02 (18 years ago)

I went to Knoxville this weekend to the corvette expo and talked to Muskegon Brakes and Lone Star Brakes.....
Muskegon has no clue whatsoever.
Muskegon says I dont have enough vaccuum on the booster.
There is plenty of vac on the booster.
It points to a bad booster.
One thing for sure, The forum guys all say air in the lines..... both brake guys I talked to said that air WAS NOT the problem.
Been sick and it rains every day.... putting a roof on my office, so it is raining both inside and out.
Am going to check one more thing before I remove the booster.
I will let you know.
:(

"Randy"

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Wed 2008-04-02 (18 years ago)

Randy, you already know its the booster, you dont want to take it off.

rockcrusher67

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Wed 2008-04-02 (18 years ago)

Randy, you already know its the booster, you dont want to take it off.

I guess that lately, I second guess myself too much.

"Randy"

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Mon 2008-04-07 (18 years ago)

Here is how I did the troubleshoot.

First, removed the master cylinder from the booster.
Installed a plate on the front of the booster.
Put a spacer between the rod and the plate so there would be no travel.
Tried to depress pedal, would not go. Started car, same thing, pedal would not move. that tells me the booster is working and not collapsing inside.
Second, reattached the master and plugged the holes where the lines attach.
Followed same proceedure, no pedal travel, the master is good.

Third reattached the lines, blead the master and installed the speedbleeder screws on the calipers.

Fourth, ran almost 2 gallons of fluid through the system. I did find some small amounts of air from time to time.

Reinstalled the wheels and test drove.
The car will stop. The pedal has too much travel for me, but I think it is a matter of driving everything else with ABS brakes.
While the car will slide the tires, you can depress the pedal further than I am comfortable with. The brakes start working but you can still depress the pedal for a ways.

Going to try and enjoy it for a while, now that I can stop the dang thing.
Gas here is now 3.23 per gallon. Oh boy.

"Randy"

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Mon 2008-04-07 (18 years ago)

Look for $4.50 on Memorial Day.

rockcrusher67

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Tue 2008-04-08 (18 years ago)

I agree Wayne...will take some of the fun out of the long trips this summer. It's criminal what the oil companies are able to get away with. $3.39 here x(

Last words in fatal accidents for 49 of 50 states are "Oh Sh*t!" Final words in Wisconsin are "Hold my beer, I'm gonna try somethin'..."

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Wed 2008-04-09 (18 years ago)

Well, I drove it home today and It has a very soft pedal, but it will stop.
Gonna drive it a while and see what happens.
Maybe a problem in the master.... I am working on an issue, I will post when I have investigated it further.
The master is good, but there is an issue...
stay tuned.

"Randy"

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Sun 2008-04-13 (18 years ago) · edited by car guy

I hope you work out the bugs with the brakes. Nothing like feeling secure with stopping. I agree with the gas thing. In Ct., we have the highest gas prices in the nation.(according to news reports). It is rediculous. I just bought a newer Mountaineer that hasn't passed 15MPG yet. Now I am looking into selling it 2 months later. We took the "van" out yesterday for some excersize and mpg on trip. I have already had to change travel plans for this summer because of this. It Stinks!!!! To add insult- we got a great deal on airfare with Skybus last week, only to have them close up and go bankrupt 3 days later. Crap!!!! Now we are trying to get our money back from all the reservations.Let the summer fun begin!!!!!

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