[Mark Yetman]

You guys are going to laugh so get ready.

Yesterday was a nice afternoon here in Toronto. I decided it was time to bring my 67 Camaro out of storage. I started it and backed it out of my garage. The wife and I washed it and checked all the fluids. Took it for a nice 3 hour cruise through town.

Pulled onto my street and motored up to my driveway. Gave it a shot of gas and did a 90 spin into my drive way. Though I would impress my neighbors (This is where it gets scary...now funny) I lost my brakes! Petal went to the floor and the car coasted up the driveway and the in to the garage about a foot. Problem was the wooden garage door was closed! Yup totaled my garage door.

So my question is not how to repair the door, patched it already but why did I lose my brake momentarily? I have standard brake, the fluid appears to be up and ok.

This is scary. I can aways fix my garage door but what if this happened on the street!

Any thoughts?

Another question I have is on stearing. I have a lot of play in the stering wheel. Does this indicate my stering pumb is near end?

Thanks.

m.

[davidpozzi]

Standard brake?
Does that mean manual drums?
David

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Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Motorsports page
First Gen Suspension Page
67 RS 327 original owner. 69 Camaro Vintage Racer, 65 Lola T-70 Chev SB Can-Am Vintage Racer

[Mark Yetman]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by davidpozzi:
Standard brake?
Does that mean manual drums?
David

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Standard as apposed to Power Brakes. The front has disc and the back is Drum.

m.

[pdq67]

Sounds ta me like your M/C leaked off and either needs rebuilt or just get a new or rebuilt one to replace it. My car did the same thing just sitting in the garage all these years so I don't think it is all that uncommon.

What is uncommon is finding out about it when you want to stop! Sorry you bumped something and hope there is not much damage except to the door. pdq67

[Mark Yetman]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pdq67:
Sounds ta me like your M/C leaked off and either needs rebuilt or just get a new or rebuilt one to replace it. My car did the same thing just sitting in the garage all these years so I don't think it is all that uncommon.

What is uncommon is finding out about it when you want to stop! Sorry you bumped something and hope there is not much damage except to the door. pdq67<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the response. So you think I have an failing master Cylinder. Is there any other tell tale signs as the breaks do work it just seems if I make a fast acceleration and turn at the same time. Now this has only happen once, but once is one too many.


No damage to the car...just my garage door and pride!


Since I may have to replace the MC any feed back on putting in power brakes? I have seen packages kits for this.


m.

[CamaroNOTcamero]

were your neighbors laughing? too bad about the luck, thats the kind of luck i have, so i dont do things like that just thought i'd make you feel better (j/k)

[This message has been edited by CamaroNOTcamero (edited 04-01-2002).]

[Everett#2390]

More than likely, as others have suggested, pdg67, CNC, you prbably need a M/C.

I'd get a new one and exchange it. The cast iron codensed over the winter, rusted inside the bore, probably tore the lip seal. If you look around, you might find a M/C with a Stainless steel sleeve in the bore or have one installed in the your present M/C.

Evere think about changing the brake fluid? This stuff absorbs moisture. Collects big over the years.

Think about it, when was the last time YOU changed brake fluid?

Everett

[Mark Yetman]

Thanks for the positve feedback. I guess I will investigate the MC and get it replacement.

I guess the only good thing is that it happened in my drive way.

m.

[Spitfire44]

Usually you can tell a master is going bad when you hold a constant pressure on the brake pedal and the pedal starts to slowly creep to the floor.

I would also flush the brake fluid out. Once you put brake fluid in the car it continues to collect moisture. Over time it gets enough moisture in it that the boiling point decreases significantly. Once this happens the pedal will go to the floor.

[JohnZ]

Before you flush and bleed the old fluid out, siphon all the old fluid you can out of the master cylinder, then "wick" out the remainder with a rag and clean the bottom of the reservoir to remove the little particles of rust and corrosion that have settled there. Then fill with fresh fluid and start bleeding/flushing.

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JohnZ
CRG
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

[Mark Yetman]

Well, problem is gone. Replaced the MC as suggesed. Also bleed and replaced the brake fluid. While it was on the lift I changed the Transmission fluid and filter. Now all I need is the warm summer days back.

Thanks for the suggestions.

m.