Hard brake pedal after coasting downhill?

[Vincent Brick]

On my trip home from work I drive down a rather steep, twisty road for maybe 1/4 - 1/2 mile. I often engine brake down the hill in 3rd gear, and when I get to the bottom and hit the brakes the pedal is really hard. Anyone know why it would do that? I have braided steel lines and don't use the wear sensors, but aside from that the system is stock.

Thanks

[golde30]

sounds like a vaccum issue, brake booster isnt getting enough vaccum to operate correctly.

[dewme5]

Engine braking should create lots of vacuum. I do agree on the brake booster, but I'm thinking it's damaged internally, possibly has fluid inside.

Is it a solid feel, or squishy?
Does the problem go away immediately, or take awhile?

[nrubenstein]

Replace the check valve on the booster.

[Vincent Brick]

When the pedal goes hard it goes HARD. Tap it a couple times it comes right back to normal. Otherwise the brakes work GREAT, among the best of any car I've owned.

I suppose I'll start with the check valve and if that doesn't do it replace the booster down the road. Only seldom is it an issue so I'm not too worried as long as it doesn't get worse.

Thanks guys.

[E30NJ]

Did you figure it out?

[Vincent Brick]

No, I haven't messed with it further. Its only a very occasional issue, I don't recall it happening in a while, and the car has more pressing issues being taken care of at the moment.

[N8857E]

OP;

I am having somewhat of the same issue, but instead, my brakes become stiff after constant pressure -with the most noticeable resistance at 1/2 or less of normal pedal travel when braking, which results in reduced braking force. Once I relieve pressure and tap, braking is improved until full pressure applied again and the symptom re-occurs.

I have done the following:

replaced booster
replaced master cylinder
replaced check-valve
actuated ABS on wet roads
..and bled brakes at least a dozen times.

All with no help. Still tinkering with this (and my transmission popping out of 1st)

Keep us posted.

Thanks!