When I press the brake pedal, it goes in smoothly about 20% of the way and then I feel this notch in the travel. You know when you are driving behind something and you lightly push the brakes, thats when it gets annoying. It'* almost like there is some play in the linkages or whatever is inside the brake assembly.

Also, the ratchet on my emerg. brake pedal doesnt catch very well. I have to hold the pedal down for a few seconds before it will stay on its own. What can I do to fix this?

Something is probably wrong, as there shouldn't be a dead zone. Non-linearity, yes, as that'* the nature of the Bonneville, but play? Get that ish checked out.

Your disc brakes are supposed to travel smoothly from left to right... Also check the drums out in the back - maybe if you press the brakes while someone has their ears down by the rear drums (while the car is off!)

I had the same problem w/ my brakes.... turned out to be 3 things...

A)Master Cylinder was bad - causing the dead spot
B)Pads weren't on tightly - causing a clicking noise/feel in the pedal
C)Needed new shoes for the drums - possible part of the clicking noise too

Well the brakes are replaced all around and have under 1000 kilometers on them so far. I think it may be the master cylinder :( I've got a parts car with the same system, so I may have to get it changed. Is it a LOT of work to change the cylinder? Do I even have to? I don't need to drive the car for now but I don't want to have brake failure again...

1000K?? that'* a LOT of miles man! Wonder how you car has held up with that kind of mileage!


-justin

ok opensourceguy i fixed it 1K then...

heh good job man! I just felt like raggin' on someone for their mistake[*].


-justin

Where the brake pedal shaft hits the vacuum booster shaft, there' a pin, I had to swap my brake pedal assembly because of it.

actually it IS 1000 K, 1000 kilometers, lol. At least some of us speak english when it comes to mileage: kilometers, km/h, hehe.