Corvette C3 Forum 1968 through 1982

brakes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 07-04-2013, 08:17 AM
orangevette's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location:
Posts: 22
Unhappy brakes

On my 1974 vette the brake pedal goes to the floor and barely stops the car, the brake light stays on. The master cylinder is full of fluid. There are no leaks on the floor. What could be wrong? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
  #2  
Old 07-05-2013, 09:25 AM
73shark's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: KC, MO area
Posts: 3,976
Default

No symptoms are usually caused by a bad master cylinder. Do you have power brakes?
 
  #3  
Old 07-06-2013, 11:22 AM
orangevette's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location:
Posts: 22
Default

yes, I have power brakes
 
  #4  
Old 07-06-2013, 11:28 AM
73shark's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: KC, MO area
Posts: 3,976
Default

Can you pump the brakes up by repeatedly pressing on the pedal?
 
  #5  
Old 07-06-2013, 03:35 PM
orangevette's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location:
Posts: 22
Default

I can pump the brake pedal but it barely comes up and stops the car. It does not come up all of the way to where it should be.
 

Last edited by orangevette; 07-06-2013 at 03:38 PM.
  #6  
Old 07-06-2013, 07:25 PM
73shark's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: KC, MO area
Posts: 3,976
Default

When you pump them up, does the pedal still go to the floor? If so, then I'm pretty sure it's the master cylinder then.
 
  #7  
Old 07-06-2013, 07:57 PM
orangevette's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location:
Posts: 22
Default

Yes, the pedal goes all the way down to the floor. Do you think the master cylinder needs to be rebuilt or replaced? Is it possible that a seal or something is bad?
 
  #8  
Old 07-06-2013, 08:03 PM
73shark's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: KC, MO area
Posts: 3,976
Default

Well if the bore is not pitted w/ rust you might be able to rebuild if you can find a kit.
 
  #9  
Old 07-07-2013, 07:32 AM
orangevette's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location:
Posts: 22
Default

I'll check to see if there is any pitting and if not kits are available from MidAmerica Motorworks. Thank you for your help. I will let you know what the results are when I fix the problem. Thanks again!
 
  #10  
Old 07-07-2013, 10:27 AM
73shark's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: KC, MO area
Posts: 3,976
Default

How are your brake calipers?
 


Quick Reply: brakes



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:30 PM.