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1999 Chevrolet Cavalier

Question: Drivers side drum brake doesn't feel like it's working

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chevyford_dude, 2.2L 4 Cylinder, Cincinnati, OH, July 19, 2010, 06:08
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 Enthusiast

I just replaced my front calipers and both wheel cylinders in the rear drum brakes, bled all four brakes and the drivers side drum brake is not grabbing when brake pedal is depressed. Brake pedal is almost going to the floor. When I crack the bleeder valve on the faulty drum brake a steady stream does not come out, instead it dribbles out.

Thanks for your help!

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  • Answer #1

    Bret Bodas July 20, 2010, 10:31
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     Master

    Something is clogging the line or the new cylinder is plugged? What about the proportioning valve? Could it be restricting flow to the wheel cylinder?

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    Visitor, July 20, 2010, 16:02

    according to my haynes manual my proportioning valve is in my ABS. That's where all my brake lines go to directly. I can't find a seperate proportioning valve anywhere else. I disconnected the brake line from the hub, pumped the brakes and very little is coming out. I disconnected the brake line from the master cylinder and put my thumb over the hole and had someone pump the brakes and I got pressure. I didn't see anything in the new wheel cylinder, the lack of pressure seems to be coming before it gets to the wheel cylinder.

    Am I going to need a new master cylinder?

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    Bret Bodas, July 21, 2010, 08:50
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     Master

    If the pressure is low to one wheel only, this isn't a master cylinder issue. You may have a partially plugged port in the ABS unit. Have you tried using a pressure bleeder?

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