Hey guys just got a 1984 C-20 350ci TH400 last night. I test drove it a while ago and the brakes were pretty touchy at the start of the drive but seemed to go away from what i can remember.

He dropped it off last night, i got in today to maybe drive to get gas and the brakes were so touchy in my driveway that im afraid to drive it right now in the rain. It doesnt seem to pull one way or the other and its hard to tell if its all four or just the front locking up. It takes very little pressure on the pedal to lock them up.

What do you think could be wrong and were should i start looking??

Thanks -Jake

 

Probably corroded from sitting. Might hit them with brake cleaner and find a safe place to break them in. Check and see if the axle seals are leaking on them , which might gum them up. If the power booster was bad, your pedal would be like a rock. A real soft pedal is either the master cylinder or air in the lines if there are no leaks. Be careful of the calipers locking up and cooking your hub, since it's been sitting.

 

Gear oil on the back brakes.

 

X2 on gear oil on back brakes. I had a 1986 C-20 that did that to me several times.

 

On my 2500 the brakes are grabby when it is raining or they are wet. After a few miles they began to work correctly. My dad, a former mechanic, has always told me that that was normal for wet pads, and that they would correct themselves when they dry out.

 

I agree with a possible axle seal out, they get real touchy then. Usually a good indicator a seal is out. Now our older Chevy 1-ton at work, they are just really touchy. They get better as you drive it, but pullin it into the shop cold, hang on when stoppin or u'll go thru the windsheild.

 

Ok, ill check those rears, id like to check the hardware anyways. Thanks!!

 

Checked out the rear brakes, saw nothing out of the ordinary