well.. yesterday after not driving my 89 si for a month i finally got to drive it, then i noticed that when i would step on the brakes for the first few seconds it worked fine, but after that the pedal would travel almost all the way down and barely stop the car, so i have to step all the way down and it seems like it aint going to stop.... last month when i drove it, it was working perfectly fine... what can i check for??? i need help guys... i hear no weird noises or anything like that...
thanks

 

u need a new master cylinder

 

in other words, i shouldnt drive the car???

 

I would not recommend you driving your car, if the brakes are that bad. It depends on how bad the seals are in your master brake cylinder. I also believe that's the problem. Replace that and you should be alright.

 

You may want to also verify that there isnt a problem with the lines. Just a thought.

 

You are loosing pressure somewhere in the system. It could be your master cylinder, rubber line, or even you break slave cylinders in the back drums.

Check you fluid level, and check all your lines.

 

ever try and bleed yoru brakes ? could be just an air bubble. yeah check your fluid level and make sure u don got a leak somewhere, u gotta take off the drums and everything because yeah like hte other ugy was saying, it could be those rear drum cylinder thingys

 

if you get a good pressure build up when your car is off your master cylinder is okey dokey

 

i had the same thing happen to me when i stopped the car and let her sit for a minute , the brakes wouldnt work, i checked the line that runs from the manifold to hte booster and it was loose, i tightened it up and my problem was gone, i guess i just didnt have enought pressure

 

Thanks for the replies, i will check out the lines tonight...
thanks again!!!

 

Yeah, first make sure you don't have air in your lines. Did you break any lines open when you replaced your brakes? Notice any brake fluid leak out?

 

Today i checked all my lines and nothing seems to be leaking, but im still having the same problem.. now when the car is just standing, i step on the brakes and the pedal goes all the way down to the floor gradually... anyone have any idea of what is going on???? i think it might be the master cylinder...

 

Master Cylinder... have fun replacing it!

 

i replaced my master cylinder in like 15 mins

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91_hatch_si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i replaced my master cylinder in like 15 mins </TD></TR></TABLE>

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Anyways, for the creator of the thread, it's easy to do. Unbolt the brake lines, remove the bolts that hold it on in the pedal assembly, disconnect it from the brake pedal (cotter pin) and pull it out. BLEED YOUR BRAKES after the new one is installed.