I have '87-'93 brakes on my '80 Capri, I also have the '87-'93 booster and master cylinder on there as well. Everything was fine until I replaced my rear drum brakes, yes they are still drum brakes, I just replaced them. Now the pedal effort is high, this seemed to come on gradually, the fronts don't seem to be working very much at all. I have bled the system (starting from the wheel farthest away from the master cylinder and working closer) SEVERAL times. I am beginning to think that the pads have gone "bad", is that possible? Is is possible for a vehicle that does not get driven that regularly to have the pads "harden" and not work properly, or have the rotors "glaze" over and not "bite" anymore? By the way the rotors are cross drilled units jegs p/n 915-AR-8126L (left and r-right). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Brake prob on my Capri
- Thread starter c. wood
- Start date
At1Maverick69
Member
yup I think it's your booster is to blame for hard pedal, check the vacuum line first like Daggar said
Quick booster check: start the car and let it idle. Check the vacuum at the vacuum tree that feeds the brake booster. You should have 15"-19" of vacuum.
Look closely at the vacuum hose that feeds the brake booster. The brake booster has a metal check valve that fits in a rubber grommet in the brake booster hosing. Make sure that it is in good condition.
Turn the engine off and wait 30 seconds or so. Then press the brake pedal several times and note how much pedal travel you get and the amount of effort required to press the pedal. The effort will increase and the pedal travel will decrease on each cycle with a good booster as the available vacuum bleeds off.
If the booster passes the test, consider the fact that you may have the brake shoes installed incorrectly. There is a short shoe and a long shoe. Check the service manual to be sure of the proper placement. My manual says the short shoe installs facing the front of the car.
Look closely at the vacuum hose that feeds the brake booster. The brake booster has a metal check valve that fits in a rubber grommet in the brake booster hosing. Make sure that it is in good condition.
Turn the engine off and wait 30 seconds or so. Then press the brake pedal several times and note how much pedal travel you get and the amount of effort required to press the pedal. The effort will increase and the pedal travel will decrease on each cycle with a good booster as the available vacuum bleeds off.
If the booster passes the test, consider the fact that you may have the brake shoes installed incorrectly. There is a short shoe and a long shoe. Check the service manual to be sure of the proper placement. My manual says the short shoe installs facing the front of the car.
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