2001 gts brakes

[jordan01GTS]

I have always wondered if it is normal but I always forget to ask on here. the brakes on my viper and really sensitive, there is very little throw in the pedal movement, is this normal or could I have booster issues or abs problems?

 

[jmasin]

LOL consider yourself lucky

No really, what do you mean sensitive? Are you locking up? (or engaging ABS easily?)

To me sensitive sounds like a good thing...unless you are having trouble modulating them appropriately. Please describe more what you mean.

Mine are a bit soft in the first 1" of travel and I'm working on fixing that.

A booster issue would cause your brake pedal to be generally LESS sensitive, i.e. requiring MORE effort for the same amount of braking.

 

[dave6666]

I thought that at first but then my DD is a 7000 pound F350. Got used to the GTS and now no prob even with 14" SRT's on all fours.

__________________________________________________

Please note the complaint-free content. Dave, contemporary mod-rice Viper/Ricer owner, and I approve this message.

 

[jordan01GTS]

well its hard to apply brakes moderately, very little pedal movement in they grab hard, its almost like maybe an inch of movemnent and then its rock hard like the cars not running.

 

[jmasin]

well its hard to apply brakes moderately, very little pedal movement in they grab hard, its almost like maybe an inch of movemnent and then its rock hard like the cars not running.

OK...

When you say "rock hard" like the car's not running, that sounds like a different problem.

Sorry, you need to try and be more clear.

If you are saying that the feel of the pedal is the same when the car is running and when it isn't running, then YES that sounds like booster/vacuum problem.

When you say they are very sensitive, I take that to mean a small push and the car STOPS ROLLING.

If you mean a small push and the pedal is rock hard, then that sounds like a bad vacuum.

You can easily check vaccuum by running the car, shutting it off and pressing the pedal. It should go down easily once or twice then become VERY hard to push.

You can check the line to the booster visually, and then check it for vacuum easily by running the car, shutting it off, then popping the line from the booster... you should get a pop sound as you break the vacuum. Or you can simply pull it and run the engine to ensure it is sucking Be aware that you're pulling unfiltered air through the vacuum hose though when doing that.

 

[dave6666]

What pads do you have? That could be your problem based on the "grab hard" comment.

2weasy... insert *** hotdog comments here [_____________________] I know you just went oak on that.

__________________________________________________

Please note the complaint-free content. Dave, contemporary mod-rice Viper/Ricer owner, and I approve this message.

 

[JohnnyViper]

seems like you have great brakes as long as they are not locking up, this is a performance car with performance braking, you my need to learn your pedal

 

[JohnnyViper]

and you can not compare it to another car/truck you have because they will surly be different

 

[jordan01GTS]

I really dont know how to be more specific, with the car runing I maybe have an 1" of throw before I can't push the pedal any farther, similar to when a car isnt running, i have pulled off the large vacum hose on the booster and it does ****, not sure about the little hose, does anyone know where that goes? I removed the master cyclinder to see if the pedal traveled farther with it off and it did, could something be internal wrong with the booster or master cyclinder? I know on older cars the push rod inside of the booster is adjustable, this one does not seem this way. I rebuilt this car, I bought it damaged so thats why i was thinkg it could be internal even those no visible damage, it was impacted on that area of the car.

 

[jmasin]

This is very difficult to help with over the internet; however...

If what you are saying is:

Engine running: 1" of travel then pedal is ROCK HARD
Engine off, after a few presses and releases: 1" of travel then pedal is ROCK HARD

Then I'd be inclined to say your booster may be at fault. Again this is almost impossible to assess by description alone. If I could push on your pedal I could help much more.

Did you thoroughly inspect the vacuum hose to make sure there are no leaks resulting in a decrease of vacuum?

Are there any local shops you trust that you could go to to assess the pedal first hand?

I sincerely doubt your booster has failed completely because if it had no vacuum it would feel like you were trying to stop a train and you probably would know IMMEDIATELY something was drastically wrong. Brakes with no booster and no mechanical advantage are alot of work on the old leg muscles.

 

[Timnineside]

I really dont know how to be more specific, with the car runing I maybe have an 1" of throw before I can't push the pedal any farther, similar to when a car isnt running, i have pulled off the large vacum hose on the booster and it does ****, not sure about the little hose, does anyone know where that goes? I removed the master cyclinder to see if the pedal traveled farther with it off and it did, could something be internal wrong with the booster or master cyclinder? I know on older cars the push rod inside of the booster is adjustable, this one does not seem this way. I rebuilt this car, I bought it damaged so thats why i was thinkg it could be internal even those no visible damage, it was impacted on that area of the car.

Maybe you have a Shoe stuck behind the pedal?? Sometimes the most obvious things can be the hardest to find!

-Tim