88 C30 Brake Problem

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JW IN VA

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West Central Highlands of Va
Any of you Chevy people have an idea of what's going on -I would appreciate your help.My 1988 Chev C30 is not brakeing much, if at all.Some fluid loss but pedal goe about half-way down then no brake.Can be pumped up and then have some stopping power.I'm thinking I have a booster problem but would like to know more before I start tearing into it.
Believe it or not this truck only has 57,4xx mile on it.We bought it with 31,000 for a market and supply truck.Now just use it to haul round bales and pull trailer.
 
Pull the wheels and inspection all the hydraulics and lining. Does it have hydro boost or/and hydro steer? Don't over complicate it.
 
Sounds like you have a leak. I would look real good on the inside of all wheels for anything wet. If your booster goes out it usually feels hard or extra effort is required pushing the pedal to stop
 
Also look in the brake fluid reservoir. If you are losing fluid in the rear section, I blieve that would be a leak in the rear. If front section it would be in the front. ... If memory serves.
 
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JW IN VA":1dua0ko9 said:
Some fluid loss but pedal goe about half-way down then no brake.Can be pumped up and then have some stopping power.
Click to expand...
Fluid being low in the master cylinder is normal as the brake pads wear, if that is what you mean by fluid loss. Otherwise if you are actually leaking fluid that will be easy to spot like the others say. If no fluid is on the rims then...

I would think the master cylinder is due for a replacement at nearly 30 years old, fluid leaking past the seals will do as you describe. This is the most likely candidate in my opinion and most common wear item, 28 year old seals get hardened.

If it's not the master cylinder, but a front brake caliper or something causing the pedal to go that far down you may still have to replace the master cylinder. 28 years of not having the pedal pushed almost to the floor caused buildup, then when you pumped the brakes past that point, it causes the rubber seals to get cut on this buildup a lot of times, then you have master cylinder problems. That is a maybe. MC's are cheap, as are calipers etc. for these usually.

Does not sound at all like a booster problem.
 
A slow leak in a wheel cylinder does not always show on the back of the wheel. If the small compartment of the master cylinder is going down then you have a leak in the rear brakes. You can pull the drums and look behind the rubber boots on the wheel cylinders and see if they are dry. You may check for evidence of a leak on the firewall, if the master cylinder is leaking you may notice some wetness there. If you need help feel free to PM, I have done hundreds of brake jobs on 1 ton Chevys.
 
Most master cylinders bypass before the "leak".. If you put steady pressure on the pedal, does it keep sinking down? that's the #1 indicator of a bad master cylinder.
If the booster is bad, it'll usually be a stiff pedal..
For the rear brakes, just replace the wheel cylinders.. they're like $10 a piece, not worth fiddling with if there's any doubt at all they're bad.. also check the adjuster wheel and mechanism.. LOTS of never-seize on the threads there, they always jam up! Front calipers, they usually stick if anything and drag or don't work at all.. a little more expensive than the rear to do though
 

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