Am I reading this right? 1st brake push of the morning, middle of the winter, based on the OP's signature he's in NY...
I'd call this normal.
I'd call this normal.
Help! Brakes getting weak! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter GremlinMobile
- Start date
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This is the Master Cylinder rebuild kit.
From your observations, it does not appear there is anything wrong with the electric motor (it pumps up the pressure in 35" within spec). A failing motor would result in only manual brakes and a squealing alarm. I rebuilt my MC with the above kit and the electric motor (with new internals from a reputable supplier on eBay) at 315k miles as preventative maintenance (I spend a fair amount of time on mountain trails). I did notice improved pedal response from the new MC kit. There was nothing wrong with the electric motor, per se, but the commutator was worn quite a bit and it was a matter of time.
Partsouq is not going to be the best source for a complete brake assembly. Catching one of the dealers during the 25% off sales will get it in the $1100 range, IIRC. I would either rebuild it with the above kit, or replace the whole thing. It doesn't make economic sense to replace any of the larger parts vs the whole thing.
From your observations, it does not appear there is anything wrong with the electric motor (it pumps up the pressure in 35" within spec). A failing motor would result in only manual brakes and a squealing alarm. I rebuilt my MC with the above kit and the electric motor (with new internals from a reputable supplier on eBay) at 315k miles as preventative maintenance (I spend a fair amount of time on mountain trails). I did notice improved pedal response from the new MC kit. There was nothing wrong with the electric motor, per se, but the commutator was worn quite a bit and it was a matter of time.
Partsouq is not going to be the best source for a complete brake assembly. Catching one of the dealers during the 25% off sales will get it in the $1100 range, IIRC. I would either rebuild it with the above kit, or replace the whole thing. It doesn't make economic sense to replace any of the larger parts vs the whole thing.
- Thread starter
- #44
Why do you say this is normal? I live in the same climate as him, albeit a few hours away. My LX has a lot more mileage than his. My brakes are working just fine. Why would weather make the first brake ineffective?
- Thread starter
- #45
Well just to update everybody. It's been above freezing last few days here and his brakes are still acting the same way, so it's not a temperature issue. I also got to drive his car myself, to compare. His is a 2002 LX and mine is a 2003. His has 210,000 miles and mine has 267,000. I noticed right away that I have to press the brake pedal considerably deeper than mine. It does brake, but you really have to extend your leg. Probably unrelated, but I also noticed a fair bit of freeplay in his gas pedal. Like there is almost an inch of no resistance on the gas pedal before it starts to have some back pressure.
Anyway, he's running with the brakes as is for now. Fluid is full. No leaks.
Anyway, he's running with the brakes as is for now. Fluid is full. No leaks.
Something to check - does the pedal get stiffer the more time you pump it (get your mind out of the gutter
)? If so it is definitely the master cylinder seals I described above.- Thread starter
- #47
When driving normally, where you apply the pedal at the end of the block when you hit a traffic light or something, the stroke of the pedal is about the same (long). However when I tried to press the brake once, and then immediately press it again, it was stiffer.
