(EDIT: PLEASE MOVE TO TECHNICAL FORUM!)
Hard Brakes? One of the most common problems of an SC(of the many) would be the fatigue of the accumulator ball in our ABS systems. They are only good for about 10 years, so any longer than that is just bought time, and before you know it, your brakes may fail, sending you into a guard rail to your impending doom!!! (or at least a wrecked SC).
To save yourself from this unfortunate event, youll have to change your accumulator. Prior Reman sells them for $99.95 plus shipping. I had mine overnighted and it ended up being 135 bucks.
"But Bill, I dont even know how to do that!" You say?
"I dont have the right tools..." May be your response.
If youre like me, your entire tool collection consists of a couple sharp rocks, a long stick and a big rock for hitting stuff with. You also suck at absolutely anything car-related, and it takes you 10 hours just to install some U/D pulleys
. Or at least you have just the very basic, non-mechanic home tools, and some minor mechanic skill. Well have no fear, this tutorial makes removing and replacing the accumulator ball quick and easy!
Step 1:
Wait for Mr. Delivery man to come and bring you your NEW ACCUMULATOR! YAY! Now its time to do this!
Step 2:
With the key and engine off, pump the brake pedal 40 times, or more until it is rock hard and wont go anymore.
Step 3:
Open the hood and remove the windsheild wipers. This takes some practice, but after you slide out the little clips on the base of each, you can use pliers like a hammer and pry them up and out. Now, find the drivers side plastic cowling. There are 6 screws that need removing (including the one in FRONT of the cownling, and the one in the fender), remove all of the screws and slide the rubber weather stripping off. Find the windsheild washer line going into the cowling, disconnect it from the cowling, and set the cowling aside.
Step 4:
Now it's time to locate the little sucker causing all the problems. It looks like a big ball, with a sticker on top. Spray on...no wait...DOUSE the sucker in some penetrating liquid or WD-40(what i used)
Step 5:
Some people have different opinions about how to remove this, but i was short on tools (and time) and so i pulled a McGuiver and improvised.
Find a set of allen keys like the ones shown. Remove the screw on the side and remove the candy cane shaped 8mm allen wrench from it. Now find a socket and wrench that will fit the top of the candy cane part without slipping. Put the 8mm allen key into the top of the accumulator, and then the wrench on top of that. Now give er hell! Shell finally come loose with a little blow off valve sound. Remove the old accumulator and install your brand new one. I hand tightened mine(im strong, about 45Lbs worth) Now fill up your brake fluid if you need to, and start er up. LOOK AT THAT, good as new!