Ugh........

[Typrus]

Sigh.........
STRESS!!!!!!!!!

My brakes gave out today... Driving on the highway up to Fort Collins, I got on the offramp, and my pedal just kept sinking........... I released and repumped, it stiffened back up so I wasn't horribly concerned. Got where I needed to go, then on the way to stop 2, it wouldn't stop sinking. I had to smash passed the end detent to get any brake power. Paid my ticket, went and got a guage feeler, then limped home, 20mph the whole time with Hazards on. It took me as long to go from 25-0 without engine brake as it normally takes to go 60-0. I essentially relied on huge trailing distance and good engine braking technique to survive the trip.

What the f%&@ is going on?!? This is so friggin irritating! First valves, potentially oil pump, tranny tiring, suspension worsening, now brakes???


I can tell you one thing.... She is not making any trips for quite a while...
I suppose I'll likely wait until I can replace my suspension, clear up the valve issue, replace the oil pump, check my trannies condition, and replace my now 3 failed relays.

this is getting $$$.....




And its so funny... I have such a big urge to go find a new car for $1000 or so, but I realize that around here, the only things I'll find for that will wind up with similar issues.
I'm really fighting myself with this.......... I have NO idea what I'm going to do yet, but God willing, it will all iron out smoothely...

[Lateer]

You're having the same sorts of problems I am.

It all costs, and you're wondering whether or not it's worth it.

These are old cars. Parts are getting scarce. They're not what you'd normally call a collector's car. So, you either stick with it because you love it or sell it on.

I think I'll sell the Tercel on, but then I take it for a drive, remember how much fun they are, then think about how much it'll take to get it going really well. Then I think about how little I earn.

Still. It can sit in a shed and be a 'project' car. All it needs is a little TLC...

[GTSSportCoupe]

Sigh.........
STRESS!!!!!!!!!

My brakes gave out today...

That is a real bummer Typrus! It is likely one of the rear brake cylinders ($25 from NAPA), or possibly the front master brake cylinder (little more expensive). Just pull your rear wheels off and look for brake fluid leaking out of the drums. If it's ok, then likely your master cylinder is shot. Only other thing I can think of is a rusted/burst brake line somewhere.

Old cars can be a real pain because of issues like this. However there is an end to it. I replaced all the main items on my car (for far less $$ than any reliable newer car would cost me), and have not had problems now for over a year and half. The car runs great. As long as you do the work yourself, it is entirely affordable. If you want a shop to do it, you'll be putting out a lot of money. You seem pretty good at working on cars though. Keep up the good work and don't loose faith. This is a great way to learn about cars...

Good luck.

[MootsMan]

Speaking of brakes.....I had to remove pads and rotor on the right front after a horrible grinding noise started last week....the outside pad was worn at a horrible angle and had got into the rotor. I decided to replace pads and rotors on both sides. When taking off the caliper on the left side, the shorter bolt on the bottom broke. I've tried drilling it out, but no luck. I'm on my way to the junkyard now to try and find a replacement, before I buy a new one.

Could somebody tell me about how the brake pads are supposed to fit and stay in the calipers ?? I am totally ignorant on this issue. If there's another thread on the subject, I'll be happy to look it up if somebody can point me in the right direction. I did a search, but didnt' find the info I was looking for.

Thanks,
mm

[Typrus]

See the bolts on either side of the calip? They run through rubber guide-boots? Pull one of those out and the whole assembly pivots out making compressing the piston and inserting the pads 400% easier. Just make sure they go in right.


I replaced my shoes, hardware, slave cylinders, rotors, and pads.


No leaks from underneith, fluid level in the reservoir is unchanged.

I pulled the valve cover off the dead engine.... Looks cool under there. It was within clearance on all valves, cam was in great shape, and the oil ranked of gas.
I may pull up the head soon for an idea of what I'll be fighting.

Any suggestions for a rust-resistant cleaner for the innards of the dead one so I can clean it off with minimal oil coating? I'm sure that old oil+gas+God knows what can't be good for you.
Funny thing was I didn't originally pull the bolt-grommets off the bolts for the cover, and because they are screw-on, I couldn't get it up. Spent about 15 minutes on that one lol.



Is there a RWD biased car I can pull the master and booster off of for a performance boost in braking? First thought would be a Corolla GTS Twin, but would the front/rear bias be close enough?

[Mickey_D]

Any suggestions for a rust-resistant cleaner for the innards of the dead one so I can clean it off with minimal oil coating? I'm sure that old oil+gas+God knows what can't be good for you.

Gunk's Brake-kleen is really good for this. A little on the expensive side versus a normal solvent bath, but if you don't HAVE a solvent bath.....


Oh, wait. You said rust resistant. Well, Brake-kleen it first, then spray it down with WD-40 afterwards as an anti-corrosion compound....

[2manytoys4menow]

Sigh.........
STRESS!!!!!!!!!

My brakes gave out today... Driving on the highway up to Fort Collins, I got on the offramp, and my pedal just kept sinking........... I released and repumped, it stiffened back up so I wasn't horribly concerned. Got where I needed to go, then on the way to stop 2, it wouldn't stop sinking. I had to smash passed the end detent to get any brake power. Paid my ticket, went and got a guage feeler, then limped home, 20mph the whole time with Hazards on. It took me as long to go from 25-0 without engine brake as it normally takes to go 60-0. I essentially relied on huge trailing distance and good engine braking technique to survive the trip.

What the f%&@ is going on?!? This is so friggin irritating! First valves, potentially oil pump, tranny tiring, suspension worsening, now brakes???


I can tell you one thing.... She is not making any trips for quite a while...
I suppose I'll likely wait until I can replace my suspension, clear up the valve issue, replace the oil pump, check my trannies condition, and replace my now 3 failed relays.

this is getting $$$.....




And its so funny... I have such a big urge to go find a new car for $1000 or so, but I realize that around here, the only things I'll find for that will wind up with similar issues.
I'm really fighting myself with this.......... I have NO idea what I'm going to do yet, but God willing, it will all iron out smoothely...

So what relays are failing . I have fixed quite a bit of wiring issues with my terc . Hope it's an easy fix on the brakes .

[Typrus]

Nonono... My A/C, Headlight, and Rad relays. The headlight one works... intermitently.