expertmax

Hi guys, I have a 1988 Cavalier Z24 which I find to have a weak braking !

Are the cars made like that or it might be a mechanical issue ?

List of things done to the car by me, a mechanic :

1) Flushed brake fluid.
2) Changed both calipers.
3) Changed both rotors.
4) Changed both pads.
5) Changed both wheel bearings.
6) Changed both hardware and star wheels.
7) Changed both linings.
8) Did a complete system bleeding and properly adjusted the drums.

After that, I only noticed that the pedal went higher which is normal because of the drum adjustment but the braking is still really bad.

I am not changing the master cylinder or the vacuum booster because they are hard to find and I spent a lot of money on parts.

Is there someone here that knows if the braking of this car is bad "by design" or if it's having an issue.

Thank you very much, Max.

Segfault

It's probably the vacuum booster or it has something to do with vacuum not getting to the booster. Sorry you had to do all seven things, only the eighth makes some sense.

expertmax

Don't be sorry, they had to be done. The brakes were worn and all covered with rust. The car sat in a garage for 8 years.

The vacuum is sufficient and the vacuum booster is working properly.

It might just be the way the car was designed.

Segfault

Now we really should define what's weak braking.
Does it mean you can't lock up your fronts? Or does it mean you risk rear ending someone every time that someone steps on brakes harder than usual?
Have you tried and measured if stopping distance is up to factory specs?
I have two Cavaliers and both of them can outbrake most of vehicles.