I have a 1992 940gl, and for the past month or so I have been noticing that I am having to press harder and harder on the brake pedal to get my car to stop. Could this just be that my brakes need to be bled or do i need to buy new brake pads? The brakes make a squealing noise every once in a while but not all of the time when I press on the brake pedal. Wanted to see what you guys have to say before I take it to my mechanic or the place where I get my tires rotated.


thanks

 

Well, please don't bet your life on our sight unseen opinions!
Because your car has a power brake booster, brake effort really shouldn't increase as pads wear down or if bleeding is required. Air in the lines makes the pedal mushy or spongey...with increased pedal travel. Often, when pedal effort increase it is a result of the brake booster functioning below proper minimums. It may be the brake booster is failing, indicating a rebuild or replacement unit is indicated. As the unit is vacuum operated, it is susceptible to vacuum leaks. Check the large rubber hose leading from the manifold to the booster for splits as well as the ends for tightness. Too, the rubber grommet securing the white plastic right angle check valve on the booster face may be leaking and the check valve itself can fail. The check valve assists in storing a certain amount of vacuum in the booster for low vacuum situations, such as at idle and when the motor is off. Before I bought a new booster, make sure the $2 hose and $10 check valves are ok.

Oh, I'd take it to the mechanic...not the tire shop...brakes are nothing to cheap out on.

 

ok thanks. i would'nt think it would be the vacuum because the robber stopper was just replaced on my car. i think it was the rubber stopper thing, or some kind of panel that is over the vacuum, that gets really brittel after many years. Heck the vacuum was just close to a month ago, along with the idle computer being rebuilt. ok thanks for the advice.