Re: Did the Bomb Test - FAILED

[Robert Houk - WorkGroup Server Firmware <Robert.Houk@East.Sun.COM>]

   The education I have received from reading this list has mandated that I
   perform a test of my BOMB. After shutting the engine and applying my brake on
   many occurrences, I have come to the conclusion that I can expect 3-4
   depressions until the accumulator is empty. Thus_a_failure!?

Yup.

   I do not experience braking problems and would not have discovered this
   deficiency were it not for my good friends on the QLIST. My question, then is
   how much is the R/R gonna cost me and what improvements/ changes should I look
   forward to after R/R.

In { normal | casual | easy | gentle } driving, the bomb has no
[perceivable] effect, your demands on the braking system (in
particular, the hydraulic system behind the braking [and steering]
system[s]) is so light that it can easily "keep up" with you.

Where you will notice the difference is in { sudden | hard | panic }
braking. The basic sequence is

  o  Wow! I gotta stop now! Press hard on the brake pedal.
  o  HOLY BAT GUANO!  NOTHING IS HAPPENING!
  o  I GOTTA STOP **RIGHT NOW** PRESS ****REALLY HARD***** **RIGHT NOW**
  o  Brake (hydraulic system) catches up with demand, all four wheels
     lock up

On gentle braking, you press gently on the pedal, it goes down gently,
and the brakes apply gently and smoothly (and linearly).

On hard braking, you press hard on the pedal, and it seems to fight
back (its hard and does not seem to go down; the braking effect you do
get is distinctly non-linear -- you do not get nearly as "much more"
braking as you are applying "much more" brake pedal pressure).
Eventually (a lifetime, if you're in a sudden "panic stop" situation)
the brakes (hydraulic assist) matches your brake pedal pressure, and
you achieve "hard" braking.

If your bomb is still partially functional (it still maintains some
reserve pressure/accumulation), the above effect will be less.

The full test is to open the resevoir, then see how many times you have
to pump the brake pedal to see the fluid stop rising. Should be on the
order of 20-40 times.

					-RDH