Hello all. The brakes in my 81 auto feel like they are lacking in power. Don't get me wrong, they stop the car fine, but I feel they should be more powerful. The other day I came up on a stopped car rather quickly and really had to stand on the pedal. Thought I was going to have to swerve to the other lane. It feels like I am driving a car with manual brkes. I have checked the fluid level in the resivour and the pads and rotors appear to be ok.The pedal is firm and does not feel like there is air in the system. Is there any way to check the vacume booster for proper operation. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

 

With the engine off, apply and release the brake pedal 12 - 15 times. This will release all of the stored vacuum that operates the booster.

Release the pedal, wait at least thiry seconds, and press on the pedal - this is the unboosted feel.

Hold the pedal with normal stopping pressure, and crank the engine. The pedal should sink slightly, and should get softer. This is the boosted feel.
If there is no difference in feel, the booster has a problem.

 

Thanks for the input Wally I'll give it a try and post the results.

 

Wally, I tried the test you recommended. The pedal did go in a little when I started the car. Any other tips?

 

Call David Roberts at (828) 766-9280 during East Coast business hours and discuss brake pads with him.