I got out of the j-body scene a few months back. I was having some problems with the brakes on my daily driver. It is a 1992 Buick Le Sabre. I was coming home and my brake pedal got really soft on me. After doing some examining I found there was a leak in my brake line going to my Passenger side rear drum.
Taking initiative to quickly solve the problem I immediately took off the busted part, and replaced the whole brake line from the master cylinder to the passenger side rear drum. After completed I double checked everything to make sure there were no leaks. Took of the rear tire, and then proceeded to bleed the brakes at the passenger rear drum, thinking this would be the quickest way to get all of the air out. Did this for about 45 minutes, until I was getting nothing but solid brake fluid. Refilled the Reservoir, and then rechecked myself for leaks. The new brake line is going great, but there still seems to be a problem.
When the brakes haven't been used in over a minute, when you go to push the brake pedal its not there. The first push does nothing to the car. Once the pedal returns to top position I have about 40% brakes on the second push, and on the third push I have 100% brakes. It also seems that having the engine turning over(going faster in a big parking lot checking my brakes) it becomes soft quicker.
Do I need to bleed the brake system at the Master Cylinder? There are no leaks. After pumping the pedal a few times the brakes work like they are supposed to. It just seems like air is building up in the lines when I am not using them. Right now it isn't drive-able, and I cant seem to figure out what is going on.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.
Also, anybody know where I can get a good project Cavalier, for under $2000. I'm really looking to getting back into the J-body scene. Would love a manual and within 3 States of Virginia. I have seen a few nice ones for sale on the forums, but most are automatic.
Thanks again for everything
Whenever there is a leak in your brake system, you must bleed the whole thing. Start at the farthest point (right, rear drum) and move to the nearest (driver side front disc). The air that leaked in initialy has migrated all through your system, and the problem you describe with your pedal is textbook "air in system" stuff. I hate bleeding brakes too, but there's no way around it.
James Russell wrote:Whenever there is a leak in your brake system, you must bleed the whole thing. Start at the farthest point (right, rear drum) and move to the nearest (driver side front disc). The air that leaked in initialy has migrated all through your system, and the problem you describe with your pedal is textbook "air in system" stuff. I hate bleeding brakes too, but there's no way around it.
x2
I didnt even have to read your whole post to figure out the problem. Bleed them in this order RR, LR, RF, LF. If the pedal still doesnt feel like it should, then repeat the whole process, RR, LR, RF, LF.
Whenever im bleeding brakes i have someone else pump the pedal 3 times and on the 3rd time hold the pedal down while i crack the bleeders. It is very important that the bleeders are closed before the pedal is released or you will draw air back into the system.
Thanks guys. Love most of the people on this site. Makes me want another J really bad.
Thanks again for the help, its very much appreciated.
Just a random question but does this car have the Delphi ABS unit?..
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