stiff brakes

[youngkyle]

So when I went down to buy an eagle on Sunday, I got down there (about a full day of driving there and back) there and after discussing the car and price, he told me he didn't have the title as he registered it and it was in the mail.  It wasted my time but I'm not the kind of person to get mad. I did however get to drive an eagle for the first time. Really fin, and its really all I can think about on my free time.  I was having so much fun I forgot to test out the 4x4, and other things I wanted to check out.  I did notice the brakes were pretty stiff. It may be because my car now has a brake hack job, and the pedal is half air then brake pressure. I don't know.  I was just wondering if they are all pretty stiff or is there any specific reason.  fortunately if I do know anything about fixing cars its brakes, so there's that.  I do know the ad said it could use brake pads. Could I just be dumb and overlooking something that simple?  I don't hear any rubbing like they were worn down.


On another note does anybody have a good pic of the dashboard that shows the 4x4 switch? I think i know where it is but i want to know for sure.  (by the steering column on the drivers side?) its an sx4 by the way.

[eaglefreek]

What year SX4? If 80 or 81 there won't be a switch since they are fulltime AWD. Switch is on the left side under the headlight switch. Stiff brakes are usually a bad booster. Non ABS brakes are fairly simple once you know how they work. I hate it when a seller waits till you get there to tell you they don't have a title. "It's in the mail" yeah, ok. Next time make yourself a checklist a head of time so you don't forget to look over everything. There are a few checklists you can find online for looking at a used car.

[youngkyle]

This ones 81. I had no idea it had no switch. Learn something new every day.  I figured booster if anything. Installed a new one in my lebaron. There was no space to bolt it on at all. It sucked.  
Sure it wouldn't be as hard to install.  think it would be ok to travel a bit

[IowaEagle]

Check to see if the vacuum hose is connected to the booster.  Select shift was an option beginning around January of '81 so it may or may not have it.  As mentioned it is on the lower left of the dash board.

[1985amceagle]

the 4x4 switch is pictured here in an image from IowaEagle's owners manual right under the headlight and wiper switches


I would check if you are getting vacuum to your brake booster, and also check the condition of the hose going to it, otherwise you may have a bad brake booster. some vehicles also had a one way valve installed in the line or on the booster, which may have been installed wrong.

[Prafeston]

[youngkyle]

I've done boosters before but not vacuums.. Is that hard/expensive?

[IowaEagle]

Its just a vacuum line to the booster.

[1985amceagle]

its not hard at all for the most part. generally 15 lbs of vacuum or more is wanted for vacuum to the booster

[youngkyle]

You lost me. 15 lbs? I know you're saying 15 lbs of pressure, but how do you get that

[1985amceagle]

i meant 15 lbs of vacuum. some people use a mity vac to check vacuum.  i must be losing my mind tonight.

[carnuck]

15 inches of vacuum. (the amount of vacuum required to draw mercury 15 inches up a graduated cylinder) Reverse of pressure which is measured in lbs.

I will eventually switch mine to Hydroboost. Since I plan to haul trailer and keep the junk out of the car (except my toolbox) If the car smells like grease and oil, my wife won't ride in it as it gives her a headache. I'm heading out to finish tearing out the front carpet so the moldy smell from when the heater leaked before I replaced it last year will be gone.