HELP! Some brake troubles here...
HELP! Some brake troubles here... Some background: I'm using a booster/master cylinder and calipers from a '96 Corvette. My engine is a 2002 LS6. Most of the time the brakes work great but I don't have long periods of driving logged onto it yet...
Here's the problem: It doesn't happen all the time which really confuses me. I thought we had this problem licked but it seems to have come back.... when the car and brakes cool back down, the problem goes away.
Sometimes while driving, I'll notice some resistance between shifts which gradually increases into the brakes being engaged at all times - like driving with the brakes applied. It seems the calipers aren't releasing and it gradually end up clamping tighter and tighter. When it happens, the brake pedal is stiff and way up at the top and it really smells of burnt pads. What the hell is going on???
Here's the problem: It doesn't happen all the time which really confuses me. I thought we had this problem licked but it seems to have come back.... when the car and brakes cool back down, the problem goes away.
Sometimes while driving, I'll notice some resistance between shifts which gradually increases into the brakes being engaged at all times - like driving with the brakes applied. It seems the calipers aren't releasing and it gradually end up clamping tighter and tighter. When it happens, the brake pedal is stiff and way up at the top and it really smells of burnt pads. What the hell is going on???
Could it be that the brake fluid is expanding from heat causing the pressure to go up in the system? That would cause your brakes to be engaged until the system cools off. How high is the fluid level in you master?
Fluid level is fine but the problem is sporatic which is what confuses me. It has new DOT 4 fluid and I didn't drive it too far this time when it happened.
Here's my suspicions:
Bad master cylinder, vacuum buildup problem or maybe the plunger is being pushed in too far. Someone on another forum suggested shimming the master 1/8" further away from the booster...
Here's my suspicions:
Bad master cylinder, vacuum buildup problem or maybe the plunger is being pushed in too far. Someone on another forum suggested shimming the master 1/8" further away from the booster...
Have you tried swapping out the master or booster, yet? The master has an internal spring that if failed or failing may cause the master to not release all the way.
I doubt it is the plunger being pushed in too far and don't see how spacing it from the booster would help. I have a C5 master on my car and it is mounted so there is some tension on the pushrod. I believe it pushes the plunger in about 1/16". Once you bleed the brakes like this it becomes the "neutral" position and no pressure will be applied.
Can you tell if it is the front or rear or both dragging. Could it be the parking brake? It is built into the rear caliper, right?
I doubt it is the plunger being pushed in too far and don't see how spacing it from the booster would help. I have a C5 master on my car and it is mounted so there is some tension on the pushrod. I believe it pushes the plunger in about 1/16". Once you bleed the brakes like this it becomes the "neutral" position and no pressure will be applied.
Can you tell if it is the front or rear or both dragging. Could it be the parking brake? It is built into the rear caliper, right?
Originally Posted by 70 LS1
Have you tried swapping out the master or booster, yet? The master has an internal spring that if failed or failing may cause the master to not release all the way.
I doubt it is the plunger being pushed in too far and don't see how spacing it from the booster would help. I have a C5 master on my car and it is mounted so there is some tension on the pushrod. I believe it pushes the plunger in about 1/16". Once you bleed the brakes like this it becomes the "neutral" position and no pressure will be applied.
Can you tell if it is the front or rear or both dragging. Could it be the parking brake? It is built into the rear caliper, right?
I doubt it is the plunger being pushed in too far and don't see how spacing it from the booster would help. I have a C5 master on my car and it is mounted so there is some tension on the pushrod. I believe it pushes the plunger in about 1/16". Once you bleed the brakes like this it becomes the "neutral" position and no pressure will be applied.
Can you tell if it is the front or rear or both dragging. Could it be the parking brake? It is built into the rear caliper, right?
At this point I have no parking brakes installed (winter project). The problem seems to be happening to the front brakes only.
