Brakes went to the floor driving home tonight. (Page 3/3)
Mike in Sydney DEC 09, 09:47 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

I used Centric Rotors, rebuilt Cardone Calipers and Wagner "ThermoQuiet" pads.. All OEM replacements. I won't fool with the brake system as a possible mismatch could occur but I do use the S-10 Brake Booster as that only multiples the pedal force. It would be nice if we had a direct bolt in Wilwood caliper set but nothing like that exists.



That's exactly what my system is on both of my GTs. I've got the parts for the Grand Am-Seville swap but after changing the stock booster out for the S-10 booster, I decided, "why bother?" The Thermoquiet pads and the S-10 booster upgrade are the best value I've found.

PS: Apologies to the OP for hijacking your thread.
RotrexFiero DEC 13, 07:53 PM
Yeah, I can remember brakes on the Fiero have always been an issue.

I just recently started driving my GT again.

Anyway, I got my master cylinder and started to bleed the brakes. Snapped a bleeder screw off the rear caliper.

So, now I remember these rears are very unique with their E-brake addition. I'm going to try and carefully extract it and insert another.
reinhart DEC 15, 03:58 AM

quote
Originally posted by RotrexFiero:

Never had a problem with my brakes, but tonight on the way home they went to the floor. Just frightening.

I was able to pump them to stop the car.

I drove to work the brakes were fine. Fiero sat for about eight hours, it was 30 degrees out.

I drove home had to pump the brakes, but by the time I hit my street they were solid.

I check the brake fluid reservoir it was fine.

Vacuum was fine.

Any ideas what to check next?

Unless I isolate the problem it's just too dangerous to drive.



Only thing that makes sense is the master is bad. With non fluid drop, it would indicate to me there is an internal leak....that is fluid is leaking around the internal seals allowing the pedal to move but the fluid isn't going to the calipers. New master seals should be a cheap place to start.

[This message has been edited by reinhart (edited 12-15-2021).]

Dennis LaGrua DEC 15, 06:40 AM

quote
Originally posted by RotrexFiero:

Yeah, I can remember brakes on the Fiero have always been an issue.

I just recently started driving my GT again.

Anyway, I got my master cylinder and started to bleed the brakes. Snapped a bleeder screw off the rear caliper.

So, now I remember these rears are very unique with their E-brake addition. I'm going to try and carefully extract it and insert another.


You can try a bolt remover get the old bleeder screw out but exercise care when you drill it to fit the easy out. If that doesn't work a repair kit is available but the caliper will need to be disassembled for that repair. The rear calipers can be a PITA to fix but if you don't want to DIY, you may be able to find a rebuilder. I can no longer find any rebuilt rear calipers and if you do, they are expensive and often do not work right.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

RotrexFiero DEC 15, 07:31 AM
Yeah, I'm exploring ways to resurrect this rear caliper. I see some of ebay for $150. I'm soaking it with liquid wrench.

I also notice the bleeder screws themselves are like $15 each!!!!
Dennis LaGrua DEC 15, 02:14 PM

quote
Originally posted by RotrexFiero:

Yeah, I'm exploring ways to resurrect this rear caliper. I see some of ebay for $150. I'm soaking it with liquid wrench.

I also notice the bleeder screws themselves are like $15 each!!!!



David, anyone who would charge $15 for a bleeder screw is a crook. Try Russell speed bleeders P/N 639580, the price is $15.99 set of 2 at Summit and also save your self the cost of a brake bleeder. You will obviously need 4 bleeders or 2 sets. Dorman makes an equivalent speed bleeder but I don't have the part number. Dorman also makes std OEM type bleeders. They are 10mm x 1.5 size. That size should be an standard car part store item. .

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

RotrexFiero DEC 15, 02:46 PM
What's weird is I remember I had Cadillac rear calipers and the mounting brackets.

What else is needed for these to be mounted. Do I need a specific disc. This might be the best option for a fix. I do remember the e-brake needed modified, but I can let that slide in order to get back on the road.

Thanks for your help
Mike in Sydney DEC 15, 06:38 PM

quote
Originally posted by RotrexFiero:

What's weird is I remember I had Cadillac rear calipers and the mounting brackets.

What else is needed for these to be mounted. Do I need a specific disc. This might be the best option for a fix. I do remember the e-brake needed modified, but I can let that slide in order to get back on the road.




Are they the rear calipers from a 1979 - 1985 Cadillac Seville? If so, I think you can use the grand am or le barron discs. You will have to put them on upside down, though which makes bleeding difficult unless you do this modification.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/144809.html
RotrexFiero DEC 15, 08:17 PM

quote
Originally posted by Mike in Sydney:


Are they the rear calipers from a 1979 - 1985 Cadillac Seville? If so, I think you can use the grand am or le barron discs. You will have to put them on upside down, though which makes bleeding difficult unless you do this modification.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/144809.html




Thanks...I'm starting to realize why I stopped driving the Fiero a while a ago. Everything leads to something else.

Okay, what year discs for the Grand Am? I do have the brackets and calipers from a 85 Caddy.

If I cant get that bleeder screw out I'm willing to a give this a try. I'm not sure why I forgot about why I dropped this swapped, but my guess it was the e-brake modification.

What's the old saying here on the forum, "Buy a Fiero become a mechanic", and that was back when these were young cars.
ArthurPeale DEC 20, 04:01 PM

quote
Originally posted by RotrexFiero:

Anyway, I got my master cylinder and started to bleed the brakes. Snapped a bleeder screw off the rear caliper.

I'm going to try and carefully extract it and insert another.



you may get lucky, but I had to weld a nut onto the remains of my bleeder screws. All four of them.