View Full Version : Brake Problem, HELP!


SixtyNiner
Sep 14th, 05, 05:32 PM
Hello:

I am new to this group as I just acquired my first Camaro a couple of weeks ago. It is a 1969 RS/SS 396 that has been restored to original condition.

Today a strange thing happened with the brakes (power assist with front discs and rear drums). I was driving along the road at about 50 mph. As I approached my destination, I pressed the brake pedal lightly to slow for my turn. All of a sudden the brakes locked up and the pedal stayed down as if some invisible foot was pressing on it. Luckily, nobody was following behind me. After about 2-3 seconds the brake pedal slowly raised back to its normal position. I tried to get it to repeat this, but the brakes functioned normally once again. Then, later this morning while I was driving somewhere else, the same thing occured. This time I was driving along and just applied the brakes lightly to slow down as I was coming into some traffic. The brakes locked and I steered over to the shoulder, again lucky nobody was close behind. As before, the brake pedal slowly raised back after a couple of seconds. I drove home this evening and didn't have any problems at all.

What can I do to begin to diagnose this problem? Master Cyclinder, Vacuum Booster??? Sooner or later, someone is going to slam me if I lock up the brakes in front of them! Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Phil

BAMiller
Sep 14th, 05, 05:42 PM
Do all 4 wheels lock up or just the rears?

SixtyNiner
Sep 15th, 05, 04:05 AM
You know it happened so suddenly and unexpectently, I'm not sure. I'm pretty sure it was all four, but I can't be sure. What are you thinking?

BAMiller
Sep 15th, 05, 02:45 PM
If it is all 4 I would have to agree with others in the other thread that it may be a booster problem. I have never seen this happen but it sounds like others have. If it is just the rears and only on the first couple of stops I would replace the rear brake shoes and have a slight cut done on the rear drums. Sometimes if the rear shoes become contaminated they will do this the only way you can fix it it to replace the shoes. We see this alot in the winter time with all the snow,water and salt that can get in there.

SixtyNiner
Sep 16th, 05, 03:18 PM
Thank you for your help. I'm going to look into the booster as the culprit to start.

Phil