sreine

My 2004 V6 Accord Coupe has this nagging issue. For the first few stops in the morning, or after the car has sat for a while, the brake pedal is quite hard. If I rev up the engine when the car is first started the issues resolves faster. I've checked out the booster and it is holding it's vaccuum. I've checked out the pads, calipers, rotors and all is ok. Any suggestions as to the resolution of this issue would be appreciated. I removed the vacuum hose to check out the check valve and that seems to be working.

Bioman

Lost Again

How long have you had the car? Were the pads recently changed?

sreine

Thanks for the reply!!

I've owned the car since it was new. Brake pads, rotors all in tip top shape. I recently re-lubed the caliper slides, which were also in good shape. The only thing I have not yet checked out completely is the check valve in the vacuum hose leading to the booster. I did a quick check and the check valve seems to be working. I can't be sure that the valve is working properly when the car is first started. I guess the only way to do that is to replace the vacuum hose.

Bioman

Wallaceyney

I like your post thanks for up dates.



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I hope your summer is just like Sexy Nightwear filled with surprises.

MSchu

remind me again please... why is a hard brake pedal bad?

you prefer a mushy soft pedal?

sreine

The "hard brake pedal" I'm referring to is the pedal feeling one gets when the brake booster in not applying the vacuum assist. Thus, your foot has to make up the difference and the stopping distance is increased.

Bioman

MSchu

I am still not getting it. you said hard pedal not lack of pressure.

0Steve@Spreen

A "hard pedal" is usually the result of a bad booster, where your brakes become mechanical in operation. You must exert twice the effort for half the braking performance, not a good situation.

OP, this problem only happens when the car has been sitting, correct? There is a Bulletin regarding hard pedal and it's the brake booster vacuum hose (pt# 46402-SDB-A02) causing the issue. Here is the text from the bulletin # 04-012:

SYMPTOM
The brake pedal is hard to press the first time in the
morning or after the vehicle is not used for an extended
period of time.
PROBABLE CAUSE
During the assembly of the brake booster vacuum
hose, residue may have entered the brake booster
check valve, causing the valve to intermittently stick

sreine

Thanks Steve. I'll let you know if you're correct after I install the new vacuum hose!!

Bioman

sreine

Problem solved. Replaced the hose from intake manifold to Power Brake Booster last night. This mroning when I stepped on the brakes they responded normally with first applcation and all applications that followed. No more "Hard" pedal. I removed the check valve and found that it was sticking thus creating a lag even when I applied "human" vacuum to the valve.