Do I have manual brakes, or is something wrong?

[79rabbit4dr]

I haven't driven the thing much since I bought it, but it feels like go-kart brakes. I've never done anything w/ brakes before so I don't even know what i'm looking for. How do I tell?

here is a shot of my eng bay if that helps.



I know enough to know the big thing by the coolant overflow has to do w/ brakes, but that's about it.  :oops:

[Quantum TD]

Your vacuum pump needs to be rebuilt/trouble-shot. The diaphram kit costs about $10-15. It should take you about 1 hour to remove, rebuild, reinstall the pump (goes where the distributor should go, and has the hose that connects to the brake booster).

[jtanguay]

you might get lucky and it could just be a vacuum leak...

[79rabbit4dr]

Your car does have vacuum assisted brakes.  If you have to push the pedal very hard to stop, then it is likely a failure in the vacuum system.  As mentioned, most likely it is the vacuum pump diaphragm.  There are other items it could be.  First step I'd take is to pull the hose that runs between vacuum pump and brake booster off the vacuum pump and start the car and see if there is vacuum being produced.  If there is vacuum at the pump, then focus on the booster side.  If there isn't, then focus on the pump.

Andrew

Ok, so just to be sure, this is the hose and pump circled in green, and the area to test for vacuum is the red X, right?

[79rabbit4dr]

Correct.  If you put your thumb on there it ought to suck pretty hard.  

Andrew

hahaha... man it's late and I'm not seeing straight, I had to read that a couple times.

Thanks Andrew. I'll check it tomorrow.