Brake servo assist.

[southernspeed]

Gone bad or just plain bad?

My '91 was never very good in the breaking department, even with the stock 31"s. Now ith 35s it's terrible. normal 'in traffic' driving it seems responsive enough but if I need to stop in a hurry, even from low (20mph) speeds it's aweful. If I stand, and I do mean 'stand' on the pedal you may just about get one tire to complain a bit in the dry but you'll never lock them up and I weigh about 170lbs.
So is my vacuum assist servo bad or is this just how they are? My wifes '67 camaro has fantastic brakes, as good as my '05 Ram's. My mates '57 pickup with 2nd gen running gear stops on a dime too.
Reckon I have a problem or am I expecting too much?

 

[southernspeed]

OK, let me ask it another way......

Can you all lock up your wheels with standard brakes and tires of 35"+ ?

 

[4X4HIGH]

My brakes work very well with my 1 ton running gear but unless i stand on the pedal they won't lock up. Try pushing a few times on your pedal with the engine off. After about the 2nd or 3rd push the pedal should be much harder to push if not then your booster is bad.

 

[southernspeed]

I tried that. The booster is working...just not sure how well! Stopping is just plain scary sometimes. If a car pulls out in front of me it's panic time!

 

[4X4HIGH]

Make sure you bleed the brakes and all the air is out. When you push on the pedal and hold it does it fade away or does it stay hard?

 

[southernspeed]

It stays solid. If you stand on the pedal to stop, it feels 'right'...it's just cr*p at stopping!!
It's still got the anti lock rears but it used to lock the front up years ago. No chance of that now!

 

[Ronnie4wd]

I am not sure but could your front pads be "glassed"
And if they are check your discs too
If they are blueish they have been overheated

 

[dremu]

I am not sure but could your front pads be "glassed"
And if they are check your discs too
If they are blueish they have been overheated

Ah yeah ... take sandpaper to the pads if the surface is glazed. And if the rotors are glazed, ship them to Scott and he'll turn them on the lathe

-- A