Author Topic: Weak Brakes  (Read 4059 times)

Offline 73SWBBB

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Weak Brakes
« on: May 02, 2011, 09:14:27 pm »
So the guy I bought my truck from was daily driving it. I thought i would be in great shape and just be able to enjoy the ride for a while until i saved up enough to start making it my own. Well as we all know these trucks don't stop like the new age ones but this thing was quite a bit worse than i remember my last old Chevy being. I jacked it up on all four corners and began spinning to find out I had no rear brakes. Further diagnostics revealed that all brakes were in fact working but the rear just needed to continually get  pumped for some action. I bled everthing and as i did so i noticed small bubbles appearing in the larger reservoir of the master cylinder. So my guess is I am going to have to replace my master cylinder. Is there any other things I should be looking for during this adventure? Does it sound as though i am on the right track? Any recommendations for parts or will the local auto parts store brand be suitable? Any input would be great.

Offline beastie_3

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Re: Weak Brakes
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2011, 09:57:41 pm »
local parts are fine. Many places do sell AC Delco too. Do you have fluid dripping from the master cylinder or brake booster? Or anywhere in the brake lines/cylinders?

Offline bake74

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Re: Weak Brakes
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2011, 10:10:26 pm »
     I would check rear brake cylinders to make sure they are not leaking or just worn out before tearing into the front master cylinder.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline 73SWBBB

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Re: Weak Brakes
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2011, 07:26:25 am »
When I first got the truck the back resiviour was a little low but I didn't see any sighns of leaking. The master cylinder had peeled paint around it and a little bit on the booster too but like I said it appears like it was from normal maintenance. I'll have to take a closer look at the wheel cylinders but they also looked dry with no signs of leaking. While I'm brining up rear brakes. Does anyone know the best route for rear disc convertion?

Offline bake74

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Re: Weak Brakes
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2011, 09:44:58 am »
     Do a search in engine/drivetrain I believe, there are a coupld of really good articles there.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline 73SWBBB

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Re: Weak Brakes
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2011, 05:16:28 pm »
Master Cylinder fixed it. It had fluid slowly leaking out of the back and gummed up the piston in there pretty good. Cleaned it all out, replaced the master cylinder and bled the heck outta that thing and she feels nice tight.

Offline beastie_3

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Re: Weak Brakes
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2011, 05:18:12 pm »
good to hear. remember to clean the booster well, or the paint will keep coming off.