I've had my 89' CRX Si for about a week now and noticed when I first bought it that the brakes wouldn't really engage until the pedal was all the way down... If that makes sense. Like I'd have to push the pedal all the way in to get it to stop normally. Thankfully I haven't had to slam on the brakes yet because there would be stoppage going on.

I changed the pads today and the problem was the same... I figured it was air in the lines but the pedal doesn't feel squishy. Another thought I had was that the master clyinder was leaking from the internal seals... I guess still a possibility... The fluid in the resevior is full though and not leaking as far as I can tell. Basically I'm out of ideas since this is my first honda, I dont really know the problems with the EF chassis.

Anyone have any ideas? Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll be converting to Integra rear discs so maybe that will improve things. I just need to get this sorted out since this is my daily driver.


Modified by Shiro Z31-T at 2:32 PM 11/6/2004

 

bad booster?

maybe the pedal isnt adjusted properly.

also would be a good idea to bleed the brakes anyway, and eliminate it as a possibility, since its free

 

have you tried checking your master cylinder? I remember my brakes were very mushy and had to put it too the floor to stop it. I replaced it and benched bled it as well as bled the other brakes. It fixed the problem right up.

 

Just bled the brakes today and the problem is a little better, but still not great. How do you go about checking the master cylinder? I looked at it and there wasn't any fluid leaking from it. If I do have to replace it, would an integra master cylinder give me a stronger brake feel or are they all the same?

 

I had the same problem. I solved it by replacing the master cylinder. Also, I would up replacing all of the brake components: rotors, calipers, proporting valve, etc. I think you'll find that as you replace one old component other will be exposed as another weak link.

 

Well, I've ordered Power Slot rotors for the front and am going to the j-yard this week to pull the rear integra brakes. Just replaced the front pads and bled the system. Master cylinder will be next but I wanna know if I get a cylinder from an integra or 99-00 Si will I get better stopping power or will those even fit?

 

ef ex master cyl. it will bolt right in. teg port. valve.

 

Does the car have rear drums currently? If so you may need to adjust the drums. If they are out of adjustment then you end up using all of your available pedal travel to move the rear shoes into contact with the drums, not leaving much travel to actually stop the vehicle. When you pull up the emergency brake does it go way up or only 3-4 clicks? If it is more than a few clicks they need to be adjusted. They are suppposed to be self sdjusting but the adjuster has never worked on my Civic.

 

UPDATE:

Last night I got my slotted rotors and installed them with the new pads and bled the whole system. It feels a lot better now, but I can tell it's still not right. Also adjusted the e-brake so it's only a few clicks now (used to yank it ALL the way up and still didn't do a whole lot). How do you set the self adjuster for the drums?? My dad seems to think that it's in the owners manual but I haven't seen anything about it (or in the FSM). I was going to run up to a junkyard today and pull some teg rear discs and the port. valve, but it's raining so that'll have to wait till next week maybe.

Slowly but surely this problem is getting solved.

 

drive backwards and pull the e-brake to adjust rear drums.

also, look at the top of the brake pedal, there's a adjuster you can, adjust, to raise or lower the pedal engagement, kinda like a clutch.

 

What about the master cylinder?

 

pull the drum off and click the self adjuster out untill the drum fits tightly but still has enough room inside to rotate with little friction, it will quickly wear the shoes and be perfectly fine