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Brakes problem on Century 2000


Peter Solarik
04-28-2004, 10:41 AM
I am back. This time with request for expert opinion on possible brake problem.
The brake pedal seems mushy and developed quite a long travel. The car has 42.000 Km on speedometer. I bought last summer with 30.000 K on it. (I assume that it never had any brake service done before due to low milage). Aside from the brake pedal travel (about one third of the total travel), there is no any other problem. No noticable brake effectivnes deteriation.
Since I work at the local college (as I mentioned before) I asked for opinion automotive department technician. He suggested that the problem could be a master brake cylinder. He further gave me an advice to put a slow steady preassure on the brake pedal and if the pedal will slowly go down towards the floor, the master cylinder is the culprit. What?! Master cylinder failing in only 40000 KMs?
I followed his advice and indeed, I was able to with steady, slow pressure on the pedal to bring it down, all the wasy to the floor.
He further suggested that perhaps the rear brakes need manual adjustmet.
I know that we have her a couple of professionals and before I take the car to dealer, I would appreciate greatly their input on this.
Thanking you in advance
Peter

pcv
04-28-2004, 01:47 PM
Check the brakes to make sure they have enough braking material left on them. Verify there is no brake fluid leak, then clean and adjust the rear brakes mannually and take it for a spin.
Good Luck.

Peter Solarik
04-29-2004, 10:57 AM
Thank you 'PCV'. I will take the wheels off this weekend and do what you suggested.
One guy told me that on newer car models, the brake drums can not be resurfaced (turned) due to factory making the drums (and/or rotors) too thin, that there is not enough 'meat' for this procedure.
Is it true?
Thanks again Peter

pcv
04-29-2004, 11:26 AM
You can still resurface drums provided they are not really warped/damaged. However, you have to bear in mind, in todays markets the drums and rotors are fairly cheap. Sometimes it is cheaper to replace than resurface.
Good Luck.

bignoisey
04-29-2004, 04:23 PM
I have a 2000 Century too, and I had to have the rotors machined when I did a brake job.
Resurfacing rotors or drums: you can usually do it at least for the first brake overhaul. Rotors and drums have the max diameter/min thickness cast into the metal. You need a machinist's caliper or micrometer to accurately measure this - or have a machine shop do it. Note, also check for uneven wear on linings - a sign of some mechanical problem (sticking sliders on the calipers or bad springs etc on the drum brakes). Always clean and re-lubricate the sliders even if they seem to operate smoothly, they have to last a long time until the next overhaul.
Master cylinder: If the pedal drops to the floor as you noted, You probably have either a leak or a bad master cylinder. If a leak you'll see a drop in fluid level at regular intervals. Otherwise its a bad master cylinder. But usually on a newer car like yours you can rebuild the master cylinder if you want to save money. You may want to purchase a honing tool to polish the bore prior to reassembly when you buy the rebuild kit. Clean everything well using brake fluid. Whether you rebuild it or just purchase a new one, you'll have to bleed the entire brake system after replacing the master cylinder, but you're supposed to change brake fluid about now anyway as a normal maintenance item so you'll take care of that at the same time. Have plenty of new brake fluid on hand.

Peter Solarik
04-30-2004, 09:45 AM
Thank you Bignosey!
And thanks for the other inputs. It may interest you to know that one automotive teacher suggested to me to clamp the flexible brake hoses at the wheels (he lent me 4 wisecrip -like clamps), and try the pedal again. If the pedal stays firm (he adviced) after second push, the problem is not with the master cylinder, it would the brake wear.
I phoned for price on the master cylinder (rebuilt one) and with exchange for old one it would cost me $137.00 Canadian.
I am not even trying to find out the price of brand new one at the dealer! Well, I guess this is the price we have to pay for driving Buicks.
I used to own a 300D Mercedes and it was a nightmare having to purchase spare parts. Just the fuel gauge in instrument cluster cost $ 400.00 !!!
Believe me, I learned my lesson. Never again I would buy an import. Back to Buick, I do not feel that I am capable of rebuilding it as you suggested.
I would like to be absolutely sure that the car needs a new master cylinder, before I buy one.
Tomorow, I will hopefuly find out and let you know (if you are interested). Thanking you again for your inputs on this and have a nice weekend !
Finaly, we got some sunshine here in London (Ontario), but the radio forecast says it will rain all weekend. I live in Canada since 1968, but the weather extrems (cold, hot) get on my nerves.

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