Okay so this is the dilemma. 98 Civic EX w/o ABS. So it has rear drums.. As of lately, when braking, I have no pressure in the brake pedal until the very bottom of the pedal. Trying to pump the brakes to build pressure does not work. Still stays at the bottom of the pedal.

I've ran a few tests that I've google'd i.e. brake booster and brake booster check valve. Master cylinder has fluid, when the car is off I can pump up the brakes and get good pressure in the pedal and it doesnt sink, when the car is on and idling there is vacuum in the vacuum line/check valve going to the booster.

Sooooo any ideas on what to do or try next. I live in PA and bad brakes mixed with snow is not good.. Oh forgot to mention. When braking it kind of feels as if the back brakes lock because when slowing down I can kind of feel the *** end kicking out. (really noticeable since theres snow on the roads.)

Things ive tried that all checked out good:

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/weird-idle-problem-think-my-brake-booster-leak-2566112/
https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-2001-2005-78/bad-brake-booster-3018256/

 

Have you checked your pads and shoes? Have you tried bleeding the system?

 

Wondering when the drums were checked and shoes replaced. Have you even tried pulling the drum and inspecting the innards?

 

I just got my car inspected at the beginning of December. Mechanic said they were good but about half gone on the front pads and roughly the same for the shoes/drums. Im not sure how viable that is, he only inspects my car i wont let him touch anything mechanically. Bout how much I trust him. But I'll have to tear the tires off and recheck everything the next day i'm off...

Have everything ready for the rear disc swap except rear calipers. And cant do the swap if I toast my car in the meantime. Thanks for the info though, i'll look into it.

 

Just because the pads were good a month ago doesn't mean they didn't disintegrate (yes, it happens), and that doesn't say anything for the shoes.

I would start by doing a full inspection of your own brake system, including caliper engagement, and while you're doing that, bleed the brakes. What color is the brake fluid? If it's black or really dark brown, you should just go ahead and flush the system with some fresh Honda fluid as well.

 

A mechanic not doing a legit inspection when he knows he's not getting any of the repair work? Possible? Never heard of that!

 

So you guys are thinking its just the brakes in general, gotcha. Next chance i get (New Years Eve) i'll tear em down.

 

He's had my brothers car for a couple months now..

 

Try adjusting the rear brakes. If it does't fix it, it could be an internal leak in the master cylinder. One of the piston cap is leaking.

 

Check to see if their is fluid residue in the caliper where the piston is at. I have to replace my driver caliper cause its leaking a bit but I will also be replacing discs pads and rear shoes etc

 

Exactly, this should fix it!