I've been needing to get my rear brakes done on my 03 Cavalier for a while now (drum brakes). Been putting it off due to money.
Last night I was going through town and went to hit the brakes and they went to the floor. I can still stop but the pedal goes to the floor and then I have to press it pretty hard once it's there to actually get some real braking. I do get some braking as the pedal is traveling to the floor but for any "real" braking, it has to go to the floor and then I have to press pretty hard. I had my front disc brakes done a couple years ago, so I'm assuming that once it gets to the floor and then I start pressing hard, that its engaging the front brakes.
Any thoughts? If they are toasted in the back, what's it cost to get new ones? Any thoughts?
03 LS Sport
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1st pull one front wheel and check your pads,2nd pull your rear wheel and check the same.Rough cost for rears new drums(25.00) shoes 20.00,spring kit 10.00 these are approximate cost in general plus two or three cans of brake clean.New drums are cheaper than having the old ones machined and save time.Check your components before just throwing money in the wrong place to fix a problem.If you need new front brakes buy new rotors and cost varies but average is like 25-30 depending on brand,store and pads same with same idea in mind.Check it 1st to save $ and time!
Just did my rears with a all new hardware, drums being Prostop / Wagner? (Look identical to the rusty Wagner drums Amazon sent me) from Pepboys, shoes from Amazon also Wagner, (thermo Quiets) spring kit, self adjusters for each side, fluid, and 3 cans brake cleaner. Entire cost about $175 for the parts, but I also bought new cylinders and hoses for another $60 with a grand total of $235 for excellent parts that don't squeek or make noise, and work as intended.
On the cheap you will need drums, shoes, a spring kit, 2 self adjusters, fluid, and brake cleaner for a total of $115. You could drop the self adjusters, but I wouldn't recomend it, and buy ACDelco self adjusters as they are the same price on the net as other brands. My Pepboys braned adjusters didn't/don't, seem to fit quite right. You might be able to eliminate the adjusters by bending the spring clip out a bit so there is pressure between the two top pieces of the kit, assuming you are doing this yourself.
If not mechanically inclined, this can be a bit difficult for someone who has never done a drum brake of this type. The spring kit holds the pads to the back plate, and must be replaced, period! These springs are a bear to install even for the mechanically inclined. I suppose there is a special tool for this procedure, but that just adds more cost to the job, and I forewent this particular purchase as I'm also on a tight budget, and the vehicle needs many more repairs as I'm sure yours does as well. Not sure what the labor would be if you purchase your own parts; maybe someone else can chime in on install cost. The installer will want to replace everything, as I did, especially if the hoses and cylinders have never been changed out. As above, this will add another $60 to your total as these two parts are generic brands, and all look alike. I actually paid $28 for Wagners, but they don't look like the pics on Amazon, they loook like all the others including the ones I removed from my car which are $20 each, and another $10 ea for the two rear brake hoses/lines.
Regarding your pedal distance to brake engagement. It sure sounds like no preasure in your lines to me which could be a lot of things. Have you checked your fluid level? Also, If you don't hear metal on metal when you do brake, there is a possibility you don't need brakes at all, but possibly a full system bleed with new fluid. This should be done on average every 3-4 years anyway as the brake fluid becomes oversaturated with water/moisture which in turn diminishes the effectiveness of the fluid causing a spongy, non effective peddle. If you are an extreme driver as I am, I go through front racing pads before the year is out, and always bleed at that time, once a year. If tight on funds, try to get a knowledgeable friend to help you out, buy the basic setup at around a $100 without the adjusters. Purchase the adjusters, lines, and cylinders at a later date if needed as they are easy to install once the new pads are in place with new springs. You may also need to adjust or replace the emergancy brake cable assembly as this part becomes stretched over time. Hopefully, the cable needs adjustment, and not replacement.
Worst case, funds being tight, a set of $20 shoes, and $13 spring kit will get your rears working, but you will have the labor cost if not self installed. Hope this helps you in your quest, but first things first, check the brake fluid, bleed the brake lines, and or adjust the emergancy brake cable. The pedal should not go to the floor no matter how worn the brakes are so something is wrong there, and danger is in your future if this is not fixed!
A second thought? does your emergency brake work properly? If it does, then your rears may be fine, fronts are probably fine, but your system has lost preasure for some reason, and you ned to imediately take care of it. Should the emergancy brake work well, I have often used this to brake, but it also required my driving to be extremely slow which is not good for my driving style which is all out! lol take care, hope this is just a cheap fix like a bad hose caused you to loose line preasure, and an $8 bottle of brake fluid is all you need assuming you can get a friend to help you replace the line, and bleed the brakes.
E-brake is cable operated and does not negate the possibility of a wheel cylinder leaking, causing the pedal to go to the floor.
Adjusters don't always have to be replaced. I did not replace mine, however, that is because they are free and moving quite fine. I did disassemble them however and re-grease/anti- sieze the threads to keep them free till the next time. having said that, it's not a bad idea to replace them if you have some decent mileage on your car.
OP, you lost a brake line, caliper or wheel cylinder. Based on how your post is worded, unless you have experience with brake systems, I'd sugest getting someone top help you who has done it before, or going to a shop. If you aren't comfortable or aren't sure about fixing this problem yourself, then don't do it. Your braking system is not something you want to screw up.
