Front brakes locked up
Thread Starter
New To honda, Not to the strip.
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
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From: South of St.L
Rep Power: 0 
Front brakes locked up
Few days ago I had brake switch issue with the pedal not hitting the switch. I have since fixed that and have adjusted the switch and pedal spacing. So the pedal comes all the way back and not constantly holding pressure.
But now I have an issue with my front brakes are locked up. I have just replaced the Master cylinder, rubber brake lines and calipers on both sides. I did bench bleed the master cylinder and I did bleed the brakes (farthest to closest). My only guess now is the Brake Booster. Is there a way to check this?
I did pull the vacuum hose on the BB and did not hear any release of pressure (but dont know if I would) with the engine not running.
But now I have an issue with my front brakes are locked up. I have just replaced the Master cylinder, rubber brake lines and calipers on both sides. I did bench bleed the master cylinder and I did bleed the brakes (farthest to closest). My only guess now is the Brake Booster. Is there a way to check this?
I did pull the vacuum hose on the BB and did not hear any release of pressure (but dont know if I would) with the engine not running.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 
Re: Front brakes locked up
Brakes locked so they drag hard and the car won't roll freely?
If this started immediately after you messed with the pedal and brake light switch, I'd first guess you have something too tight. Either the switch is trying to apply the pedal, or you messed with the pushrod adjustment and screwed it up.
Pedal spacing? WTF? I bet this is what is wrong. This almost never needs messed with. I bet the pushrod is adjusted too long now. Everything HAS to have a little free play because things expand when it gets hot.
Please check this in this order....
Step 1:
Get the brakes to lock up. Back off the light switch.
Now pull UP on the brake pedal. HARD. Do the brakes release? If so, go back to whatever you did prior to this and undo it or do it right.
If that wasn't it, then step 2:
I might raise the wheels off the ground, or I might just try to roll the car as I try things.....
Start with backing off the nuts that are holding the master cylinder to the booster. Back them off or remove them. Pull the master cylinder out away from the booster.
See if the wheels are released now.
If they released now, adjust the pushrod that sticks out of the booster, it's too long.
Holler back if that wasn't it, then you can do hydraulic line checks starting at the master.
Gotta run
HTH
If this started immediately after you messed with the pedal and brake light switch, I'd first guess you have something too tight. Either the switch is trying to apply the pedal, or you messed with the pushrod adjustment and screwed it up.
Pedal spacing? WTF? I bet this is what is wrong. This almost never needs messed with. I bet the pushrod is adjusted too long now. Everything HAS to have a little free play because things expand when it gets hot.
Please check this in this order....
Step 1:
Get the brakes to lock up. Back off the light switch.
Now pull UP on the brake pedal. HARD. Do the brakes release? If so, go back to whatever you did prior to this and undo it or do it right.
If that wasn't it, then step 2:
I might raise the wheels off the ground, or I might just try to roll the car as I try things.....
Start with backing off the nuts that are holding the master cylinder to the booster. Back them off or remove them. Pull the master cylinder out away from the booster.
See if the wheels are released now.
If they released now, adjust the pushrod that sticks out of the booster, it's too long.
Holler back if that wasn't it, then you can do hydraulic line checks starting at the master.
Gotta run
HTH
Thread Starter
New To honda, Not to the strip.
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: South of St.L
Rep Power: 0 Re: Front brakes locked up
Brakes locked so they drag hard and the car won't roll freely?
If this started immediately after you messed with the pedal and brake light switch, I'd first guess you have something too tight. Either the switch is trying to apply the pedal, or you messed with the pushrod adjustment and screwed it up.
Pedal spacing? WTF? I bet this is what is wrong. This almost never needs messed with. I bet the pushrod is adjusted too long now. Everything HAS to have a little free play because things expand when it gets hot.
Please check this in this order....
Step 1:
Get the brakes to lock up. Back off the light switch.
Now pull UP on the brake pedal. HARD. Do the brakes release? If so, go back to whatever you did prior to this and undo it or do it right.
If that wasn't it, then step 2:
I might raise the wheels off the ground, or I might just try to roll the car as I try things.....
Start with backing off the nuts that are holding the master cylinder to the booster. Back them off or remove them. Pull the master cylinder out away from the booster.
See if the wheels are released now.
If they released now, adjust the pushrod that sticks out of the booster, it's too long.
Holler back if that wasn't it, then you can do hydraulic line checks starting at the master.
Gotta run
HTH
If this started immediately after you messed with the pedal and brake light switch, I'd first guess you have something too tight. Either the switch is trying to apply the pedal, or you messed with the pushrod adjustment and screwed it up.
Pedal spacing? WTF? I bet this is what is wrong. This almost never needs messed with. I bet the pushrod is adjusted too long now. Everything HAS to have a little free play because things expand when it gets hot.
Please check this in this order....
Step 1:
Get the brakes to lock up. Back off the light switch.
Now pull UP on the brake pedal. HARD. Do the brakes release? If so, go back to whatever you did prior to this and undo it or do it right.
If that wasn't it, then step 2:
I might raise the wheels off the ground, or I might just try to roll the car as I try things.....
Start with backing off the nuts that are holding the master cylinder to the booster. Back them off or remove them. Pull the master cylinder out away from the booster.
See if the wheels are released now.
If they released now, adjust the pushrod that sticks out of the booster, it's too long.
Holler back if that wasn't it, then you can do hydraulic line checks starting at the master.
Gotta run
HTH
Dang!! Figured it out. I rechecked the brake light switch. Originally there was a little rubber nipple but it had corroded (connected to the brake pedal). So I took a screw and 1/4 20 nut and made my own nipple replacement. When i did this the nut head was longer (with washer). So that's why i had to adjust the brake switch. But I didn't unhook the wire to the brake switch. Because i didn't it had bound up, and when i let go it twisted the switch near the spot it was originally at.
But hey thanks for the response!!! After i posted I figured I would start where i began.
With that said, I have had a problem since day one with the rear brakes. when I pull the Ebrake only the right side engages. I have newer calipers in the rear too. I have adjusted the Ebrake under the center counsel but if memory serves me correct where both brake cables meet at the adjustment screw(s) one comes back farther than the other. Leaving that bracket cocked, not level/even. Any help here would be appreciated!!
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 Re: Front brakes locked up
HTH
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