Front brakes locking up

INUYASHA

MEMBER
HONDA CIVIC

I have '87 Honda Civic sedan auto 1.5 3bl. Let me start with the trouble I've had since I first bought car. When I first bought the car the front brakes would lock after driving only two miles. So I replaced rotors, calipers, and pads, which did NOT help. Then I replaced front brake lines from advise from dealership. That didn't help either. I took it into a shop and had it checked out. They told me they believed it was master cyl. AND booster. Well I replaced those two things and it helped for about 4months. After 4 months brake pedal started getting very soft and when I had to come to a complete stop the motor would die. Scary. Anyway the master cyl. And booster were under warranty so I replaced them both again. Now motor doesn't die but front brakes are locking up again. I've been told there is an adjustment between booster and master cyl. On the shaft of the booster. There is not could shims be used between master cyl. And booster? The brake pedal has an adjusment on it between it and the booster. One repair manual suggested one possible cause could be proportioning valve. Well what do you think? Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks. Adjusted booster pushrod like described in e-mail didn't help.

2 Replies

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,753 POSTS

I would think that the installer of the booster and master did not follow the directions of adjustment. I am sending you the full data on the brakes for your car. Look in the email.

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Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 AT 2:11 PM

CROZ

MEMBER
1 POST

I know this is an old post, but I have an 87 civic hatch that is having the exact same problem. The booster, MC, rotors, calipers, and even the rear drums have all been replaced between 6 months and a year ago, and the front brakes locking up has only been happening for about 2 weeks. If I understand correctly, a poorly adjusted MC and booster would be causing all 4 wheels to lock up and not just the fronts, as well as wouldn't wait over 6 months to start giving me problems. Could it be the brake lines or the proportioning valve?

Thanks.