Brakes on my 87 El Camino
 

I have an original low mileage 87 el camino - 20K miles.

pads, rotors, and all the brake system is orig to the car. I feel like the brakes are spongey - like if i wanted to, I cannot LOCK them up if needed. It will stop, but to a slow roll, not lock up.

I bled the system and flushed out the fluid and installed new fluid. No real change - so im trying to figure out where the issue may be - booster, master, calipers and rear wheel cylinders need cleaned out and redone. Not sure best way to separate the diagnostics to pin point he issue, or am I at a trail and error?

Any advise? I have no leaks in the system, just a soft feel to the brake pressure.

thanks in advance.

When you bled the system did you get a good stream of fluid? If the proportioning valve has failed or is not working properly you may not be getting enough fluid to the front or rear.

yep we had an issue with the rear - had to force some fluid thru when we opened the bleeder - i was using a suction tool to bleed the brakers thru the calipers. at first nothing then applied some brake pressure and a big stream came out........i can't say it was nice solid stream.......maybe look into the prop valve? R&R clean, rebuild - they rebuildable?

I think the 1987's were similar/same to the earlier 1970's GM cast iron units and yes they are rebuildable by any of the typical places for calipers/wheel cylinders. The valve may be stuck due to rusty fluid/varnishing and not allowing enough fluid through.

ok will look into this today! appreciate the thoughts and guidance.

----Along with what Jake said, I would replace the pads. They may be glazed and certainly are old. Possibly have the rotors fly cut to give the new pads a good brake in surface.....Bill S

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All above plus pull frt. calipers and service slide systems also remove drums and confirm rear wheel cylinders Ok both directions + adjusters free and wound out as far as possible but you can still get drums on/off.
Next, elevate rear and bleed system, RR first on to LR and RF w/ LF last also if weak pressure bleeding, consider flex lines may be internally collapsed whether they look good externally including rear flex if low/no pressure @ wh. cyls.
Best of luck!
:beers:
~ Pete

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This is great advise!! :biggthumpup: - Bill W

Rebuild kits. https://www.musclecarresearch.com/

Sounds like a good brake overhaul would be best approach......one can spend alot of time on one item or another, hoping to identify the issue etc.

Comprehensive brake overall might be in order - new rubber lines all the way around - new proportioning valve, pull and rebuild all brake calipers - fit and rears......

flush and clean system - see what we have.

i was trying to avail this level of effort, but all the points / suggestions above drive me to think this is the best approach. related to the booster and master cylinder - maybe a rebuild of the master is in order - i have good boost from the booster - so that will be the only think i dont touch.

sounds??????????