Hey guys. I just recently picked up a 90 Civic Hatch STD. I haven't yet driven it on the road but through the yard the brake pedal goes to the floor. The car does stop fairly quickly when the pedal reaches the floor. I have taken a look at the front pads and rotors and they seem to be ok. I also checked the fluid and thats fine.. Any thoughts on what it could be?

 

sounds like maybe bleed the brakes?

 

search is your friend...

1. Bleed the brakes. Heres a how-to:http://www.fourthgenhatch.com/brakebleeding.html

2. Then try it, if that doesn't work, check for clogs in the brake lines.

3. If you still have the problem, you will need a new master cylinder.

 

I did search... Not to be a dick but all I see around this forum is "Search." I did do a search. Half the time when I search I can't find what I'm looking for because people that have questions like myself come to a furom such as this and get "Search." But!! lol I do have to thank you for the link and suggestions...

 

Also look in to seeing if your brake booster is bad.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fastassdx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also look in to seeing if your brake booster is bad.</TD></TR></TABLE>

A bad booster would have nothing to do with the pedal going to the floor.
Booster is like power steering for the brakes. Without the booster the brake pedal is very had to press down.

 

sounds like he/she has air in the brakes..
Bleed the brakes and change the fluid and see what happens..

 

I hear ya on the search... but when you've been around a while longer (I've been around here a while, but not that often until recently), you'll start to see why people say it. Even after a couple weeks of semi-regular hanging out here, I'm almost ready to say it sometimes, too!

Anyway, follow the steps above. Flush/fill/and bleed the brake system. That will help get rid of all the old brake fluid that's probably about half water by now. And it will get all the air out of the lines, if there's any in them. If that doesn't work, then start suspecting the master cylinder. Don't rush out and buy a new one just yet, but start mentally preparing yourself (and your checkbook) for it. They're not bad - $50 or less most places - but if you're tight on cash it sucks to lay out MORE...

While you're bleeding the brakes, look around for any sign of leakage around the calipers on the front and *especially* around the drums in the back. I haven't had problems with '88-'91 Civics or CRXs, but I've gone through my share of rear wheel cylinders on the '84-'87 ones. They tend to get burrs or rough edges on the insides, and tear up their internal seals. The wheel cylinder lives inside the brake drum itself, but if it's leaking, fluid will find its way out. On mine, it found its way all over the outside of the wheel! Wheel cylinders are cheaper than master cylinders, and if you have to replace those, it's not too big a job.

Just a few pointers and ideas,

Mike

 

Thanks man. Very good info to have. I will do this (as soon as its not -2 outside lol) and get back with my progress.

As for the search thing.. I can understand on somethings Ie.. Avatar, Trial User.. things in that manner. But if someone has a fair question on their Honda then why not stop bashing them and help. As long as this forum is up noobs like myself are going to ask questions that have been asked before... that's how the community gets stronger imo