Brake problems-S13-help meatish out.

[meatish]

Okay here's the symptoms: 1989 w/ SS brake lines, powerslot rotors, hawk pads going on 2 yrs.

After an event on sunday, my brake pedal felt very soft, and I could push it a few inches of travel without feeling any resistance. If I floored it, i could feel the contact, but it still felt very soft even if I stomped it. I was checking my fluids and noticed that my brake fluid was pretty low. So, I topped off the reservoir w/ DOT3 fluid. As I pulled out of the garage, my pedal felt very very soft, and there is now a grinding noise, like my pads are in contact with my rotors. The ebrake is all the way off, it's not that.
What is it?
The pedal travel, is probably low brake pads?
But what about the grinding noise?

Thanks for any help.

[Dousan_PG]

probably pads are toasted. replace them
make sure u stll arent low on fluid might have a leak. most likely pads.

[SoSideways]

Or he could have had a tear in the caliper seal.

If that's the case, thats why he's low on fluids, cause it keeps leaking out the seals.

[Gearhead_42]

Pads are toast, prob your rotors at this point too (since there is grindage)...

Fluid level drops as pads wear, cause the pistons don't retract as far anymore. You'll need to empty out the reservoir before you push back the piston to replace pads, or you'll have brake fluid all over your exhaust. That's bad.

Just some tips

[aznpoopy]

check your brake lines as well. two years is a long time for a set of stainless steel lines. once dirt gets between the teflon and the steel braiding, they fail.

Stainless steel lines have been known to fail when dirt gets between the outer braid and the Teflon lining... As the braid moves back and forth, the dirt abrades the Teflon and can make it rupture. If you look at stainless-steel lines on motorcycles, you'll see that many of them are encased in plastic tubing, apparently in an effort to eliminate this problem. The tubing also helps considerably with the abrasion issue mentioned above.

good rule of thumb is to replace them every year or two, IMO.

the grinding noise is probably a wear indicator on a brake pad or a brake shim rubbing against the rotor. check how much meat you have left on your pads.

[SpeedMonkeyInc]

Thats strange that you had to top off your fluid. Even if your pads are shot, you should not have too soft a pedal, and you will be getting the sqeal.
Look for leaks. That is where I would start. What does your fluid look like? Get a friend to help and do a flush, and try and find a leak.

[meatish]

Yeah, I was hoping to avoid having to do a flush..
Im going to check the pads today, because those are almost for sure fucked. I'll post an update. Thanks for the help so far.

[randyjordan]

check for leaks

also..check brake cylinder