Newbe needs some advise, please

[anirishpub]

I just bought my first TC and I'm so proud! One owner '89 turbo with auto trans, red/ginger, 38,700 miles. Already joined TC America and having loads of fun even though I haven't seen my car in person yet.

The former owner advised me the only things it needs are hood struts and the brake pedal tends to go down when sitting at a long stop light but the car stops fine.

I've been reading the posts here and seen several about the need to change the timing belt, fuel lines etc. as part of the preventive maintaince for the TC.

Can some of you experts tell we where I could look for the hood struts and what parts will probably be needed for the brake system as well as what I should do to take care of any other know issues that need to be corrected. I really want to get the car into perfect shape and own it forever using it for a weekend driver/vacation cruiser. Tell me what you would do to the car if it was yours.

Thanks so much!!

[Willhelm Reichert]

I'll let an expert on these brakes advise you, but the brake pedal slowly going down is telling you not to drive it. Your master cylinder is probably going bad. That is the first sign. Don't drive it as is!!! !!!!

[Guest Reelhappy]

You will surely get good advise here. I too am new to the TC World, when I got my 90 TC with 24K on it, first thing I did was change all fluids. The brakes took hours to bleed as I let gravity do it, not wanting to hurt master or booster. When completed had to do some pumping on the refill with the engine running to activate booster. Got alot junk out of system.

[Guest imported_sharpshoe]

For all replacement stuts contact Parts for Imports (800) 582-7048 Ext 110 ask for mike good prices exact fit good luck

[anirishpub]

Thanks Sharp! Can you tell me if they are a good source for other TC parts, specificaly brakes, guess I'll find out when I call Mike but wanted to thank you for your help.

[anirishpub]

Thanks for the excellent advise Willhelm. The main reason I'm having to car shipped, sure wanted to drive it home but not willing to take any chances, you reinforced that decision. Do you have any good sources for brake parts? Thanks again!

[anirishpub]

Thanks Reel, would you mind telling me exactly how you drained the brake system. I've never done that before, I'm probably going to replace the master cylinder this time if I can find a new one but understand the system should be drained every couple of years, have it on my PM list.

Thanks again.

[Willhelm Reichert]

For the brakes, Larry Carlson. He posted the price somewhere recently and even for a cheap person like me, it seemed very reasonable.

http://www.tcparts.com/

[Guest Reelhappy]

Actually had it done at a shop but was watching my baby ALL the time. First open brake fluid filler cap and then went to each brake and removed the bleeder valve. Takes time for them to drain completely. When refilling, replace all bleeder valves and refill. Then drained each one again, one at a time, until clean fluid is detected coming out, some pumping was done towards the end of each brake bleed (engine off), which got out even more junk. Once completed the pedal was soft, then started engine and did it one more time. All okay <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. I took the long way around but wanted to make sure all was good without causeing any damage. Perhaps others here have better/shorter way, as I know I don't know all the tricks. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

[ghostymosty]

To drain the rear brakes you need to have a slight pressure on the brake pedal to open the lines from the reservoir. That caught my mechanic by surprise when he lost brake pedal after bleeding the normal way on my 91 and my service manual came out as reference. Seems that the fluid won't go to the rear if the actuator isn't in use, some kind of safety issue with the antilocks.