What Happend to my Brakes???

[2 4shofast]

I was driving down the road and the car in front of me decided that it wanted to turn, I ended up having to slam on the brakes to avoid the car in front of me. When it came time for me to stop again the Brake petal was really firm and didn’t have any travel (maybe 1 inch). I am looking for some ideas on what it might be.

 

[Porkchop]

when was the last time you did brake work? bled the fluid etc.

were you able to stop or did you go flying right by the guy?

 

[2 4shofast]

I actually bled the brakes the day after it happened. It improved very little. I am going to try to flush somemore through today. I want able to stop I went right past the guy.

 

[Porkchop]

sounds like a frozen something or other. or not enough vaccume to the booster

 

[2 4shofast]

Yea I was thinking that it was a vac. problem as well. any ideas on how to narrow down the problem?

 

[Porkchop]

im not sure the specific's but I think getting a disgnostic vac. guage and seeing if with more vac. the booster reacts differently?

this is something Paul or Chris could chim in on

 

[SHOZ123]

Here is the test procedure but none of the diagnostic symptoms list refer to little pedal travel.

Brake System Test Procedure
Brake Pedal Reserve Check

Where a low brake pedal or the feel of a bottomed-out condition exists, check for brake pedal reserve.

Operate engine at idle with the transmission in either PARK or NEUTRAL.

Depress brake pedal lightly three to four times.

NOTE: This increased resistance may feel like something has bottomed out.

Allow 15 seconds for vacuum to replenish power brake booster.

Apply brake pedal until it stops moving downward or an increased resistance to the brake pedal travel occurs.

Hold brake pedal in applied position and raise the engine speed to approximately 2000 rpm.

NOTE: The additional movement of the brake pedal is the result of the increased engine manifold vacuum which exerts more force on the power brake booster during engine rundown. This means that additional stroke is available in the brake master cylinder and the brake system is not bottoming out as a customer may believe.

Release accelerator pedal and shaft and observe that brake pedal moves downward as engine returns to idle speed.

 

[SableSal]

I think the booster fried...

 

[etc1006]

I don't understand, aren't the brakes supposed to be firm? I know mine are a little too soft for my liking. They have new pads all the way around, I think new rotors/calipers on the back. The only spot I haven't been able to bleed is the LF caliper... The damn bleeder is seized, and I'm afraid I'm gonna snap it off. Just want to get it on the road first. I realize this is in the Gen III section, but aren't the principles the same? Does the above diagnostic work on the Gen II also?