High brake pedal effort

[glomonac]

When I bought my 87 a year ago the effort to apply the brakes seemed high. I bought the car anyway. I don't need two feet to stop the car but I certainly can't stop it with average preassure like my Toyota or BMW. I thought the pads were glazed so I took them all out and sanded them. I washed all the rotors as well as the pads down with brake clean. I flushed the fluid and replaced it also. No change. I don't detect any hissing at the booster. Should I change the booster? If so, there are 2 models. One is metal and costs $169 the other plastic and costs $299. Is there that much difference?

[Edmond]

I believe the OEM model is the plastic model. The metal one is probably an aftermarket unit.

I went with the metal unit.

IMO, for regular usage, go with a metal one. Unless you're entering shows or trying to keep the vehicle as original as possible, save yourself the money and use the metal one. I've used the metal one for more than 2 years now and haven't had a single problem.

[scorp508]

Wow, those are some high prices. Who quoted those? The stock one is plastic, yes, but at those prices I'd get the metal one and maybe paint it flat black.

Does the problem exist at idle? I'd probably block my tires and then see if pedal effort is the same with and without the vacuum hose attached to the booster. When mine went I didn't realize it and thought I had blown a stereo speaker. Well the "static" I was hearing was really the vaccum leak inside the dash.


Whoops.... you'd think the rock hard pedal would have tipped me off.

[tyrel]

I would suspect the master cylinder instead of the power booster. The only thing that can go wrong with the booster is the diaphgram starts to leak, and that leads to hissing. If there is no hissing, I would tend to believe that it's okay. I suggest you consider replacing your m/c.

[SPANISHVETTS]

GM has a rebuild kit for $100. A lot of us have had to replace the booster. Thanks to Edmond mine went easy. If you have fat hands like me you will need a skinny assistant.

[Edmond]

Originally Posted by SPANISHVETTS

GM has a rebuild kit for $100. A lot of us have had to replace the booster. Thanks to Edmond mine went easy. If you have fat hands like me you will need a skinny assistant.

Glad to see that I have some use around here!

Originally Posted by tyrel

I would suspect the master cylinder instead of the power booster. The only thing that can go wrong with the booster is the diaphgram starts to leak, and that leads to hissing. If there is no hissing, I would tend to believe that it's okay. I suggest you consider replacing your m/c.

i recently cad a Cardone plastic booster replaced, my brake pedal was stiff and it idled a lttle rough and would sometimes stall. that booster went bad within a month. the pedal got stiff again. had a new one put on (warranty) and has done well for 2 months, it died on me last week and i found a rubber vac/cap missing from the check valve in the center of the booster.
i idled fine! no more stalling at red lights more power. i was aleady to pull the top off today for the holiday.
Head Gasket blew or the cast -iron head cracked. Boo hoo, i'm so mad i could just s**t.
i will copy this post in other forums if i don't get a quick-reply. i always do in ths forum....but i am a Desperate Househusband in hopes of a reasonable repair, i'd love to get tid done today. i've been guoted $2800 and the mechanic said i may screw up the top of the motor next.
Help if ya can, thank you very much folks!
Kevin Goodman (central florida)