BrickBoard Archives
The files contained in this listing have been automatically archived from the active forums. Because the vast majority of posts are now in one place, this archive is considered legacy. You should use the SEARCH feature OR choose your topic and select date tabs within the forum you choose.
HARD brake pedal!![200/'84 D24] posted by T. Tillman on
Sunday, 27 December 1998, at 1:33 a.m.
Howdy Y'all,
All of a sudden, I've got a rock hard brake pedal. It will act normally for a while and then get HARD and maybe stay that way for 2, 3 or 8 braking incidents! I can make it stop the car, but I have to put most everything I've got into mashin' the pedal. What's goin' on? Thanks!
T. Tillman -- Texas Boy 1984 245 D24 259k -- "The Rock Crusher"
Re: HARD brake pedal!![200/'84] posted by Jerry Judge on
Sunday, 27 December 1998, at 9:59 a.m.
Hi Tex:
I had a problem with a non power brake car a while back. I had to use incredible force to get the car stopped. It turned out to be a frozen piston in a front caliper. But that was all the time. If you are starting out OK in the morning and then your pedal gets harder after a few uses I would suspect something in the power booster. My guess would be vacumn related soooo check out those lines.
Hope this helps.
Jerry Judge
Re: HARD brake pedal!![200/'84] posted by abe crombie on
Sunday, 27 December 1998, at 4:24 p.m.
Just these two little words.
Vacuum pump.
Re: HARD brake pedal!![200/'84] posted by T. Tillman on
Tuesday, 29 December 1998, at 10:31 a.m.
Hey there Abe!
Wellsir, you could have saved one of those "two little words" and still been right. It was "vacuum" but not "pump" (thank Goodness!)
I looked under the "bonnet" and could not see anything wrong with the vacuum lines anywhere. I checked 'em several times and still couldn't see anything amiss.
Finally broke down and took it to Robert here in town and told him what what was happening. He opened the hood and peeked in. In less than three seconds, he said, "There's your problem!" There is a "tee" that connects two same size lines with one smaller line, kinda down in the lower firewall area in front of the driver. It's black (of course) plastic. The connector for the smaller line was cracked but not broken off where it could be readily seen. So, Robert broke it off and put a screw into the hole and, lo and behold, the brakes now work normally again. I went to a nearby parts shop and bought a metal "tee" and will install it today.
So, both you and Jerry were correct. You said "vacuum" and he said "check the lines". Two responses, two "bingos". I'd say that's pretty dang good battin' average. Thanks fellas!
--T. Tillman -- Texas Boy 1984 245 D24 259k -- "The Rock Crusher"