Something's wrong with my brakes. Help?

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The discussion revolves around brake issues in a 1992 Chevy Lumina sedan with a 3.1L engine. The owner reports that the brakes feel soft and require pumping for responsiveness, accompanied by a hissing sound, suggesting a potential vacuum leak. Despite replacing major brake components like the master cylinder, calipers, and pads, the problem persists. Participants suggest that trapped air in the brake lines could be causing the issue and recommend proper bleeding techniques, especially considering the possibility of an ABS system, which could complicate the bleeding process. The emergency brake is also noted to be ineffective, hinting at possible misalignment or adjustment issues. There are discussions about mismatched parts, particularly regarding the size of the rotors, which may affect performance. The conversation highlights the importance of ensuring correct part specifications and proper mechanical procedures to resolve the brake problems effectively.
  • #31
dlgoff said:
What you are hearing is the power/boost(assist) vacuum leaking. It's what the master cylinder is attached to. Between your foot and the master cylinder.

http://www.cardone.com/English/Club/Products/Brakes/Protech/Images/930393e.gif

This would have been my first guess as well...but that doesn't explain the e-brake not working well.

Unless one came before the other? Or they both happened at the same time, but that is a bit unlikely.

I may have missed this, but did they both happen at the same time? Or was the e-brake like that before and maybe you didn't notice because the rest of the brakes were working fine?
 
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  • #32
erok81 said:
This would have been my first guess as well...but that doesn't explain the e-brake not working well.

Unless one came before the other? Or they both happened at the same time, but that is a bit unlikely.

I may have missed this, but did they both happen at the same time? Or was the e-brake like that before and maybe you didn't notice because the rest of the brakes were working fine?

I've had the car for about four years. They have both always been like that the whole time I've had it.
 
  • #33
erok81 said:
This would have been my first guess as well...but that doesn't explain the e-brake not working well.

Newai said:
I've had the car for about four years. They have both always been like that the whole time I've had it.

Well, most emergency brakes I've seen only apply to the rear wheels. And they aren't really meant to stop your car like the hydraulic system is designed to.
 
  • #34
dlgoff said:
Well, most emergency brakes I've seen only apply to the rear wheels. And they aren't really meant to stop your car like the hydraulic system is designed to.
Yep! Maybe I'm really used to older vehicles, but most emergency brakes in my trucks/cars were cable-operated tensioners that engaged the rear brakes mechanically. Not really enough to stop you if your vehicle has any momentum, but enough to stall out your engine if you dump the clutch with the EB engaged.
 
  • #35
Newai said:
I've had the car for about four years. They have both always been like that the whole time I've had it.

Doesn't the US have any mandatory safety inspections, like the UK "MOT test". The name is an anachronism now, because the Ministry of Transport doesn't run they system any more - it's an annual inspection of the safety related components for all vehicles, starting at 3 years old.

You wouldn't be able to tax or insure a car more than 3 years old with faults like that in the UK, and if it was picked up by a numberplate recognition camera while being driven untaxed/uninsured you would probably get a visit from the police not long afterwards.
 
  • #36
Well, it's been fully inspected at three different places so far.
 
  • #37
Newai said:
Well, it's been fully inspected at three different places so far.

Have you had your leg inspected?
 
  • #38
lisab said:
Have you had your leg inspected?

Only my head per the demand of several coworkers. I don't have any cats around handy, so the leg inspection will have to wait.
 

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