brakes are gone!

dinomite · 02-25-2001, 12:40 AM

So I was dropping my friend off, and about a block from his house, I'm pulling up to a stop sign, and with no warning whatsoever, the brake pedal just goes to the floor! I put it in first (AOD) at about 30, that slows me down some and then i use the handbrake. Very weird. I just drove home (about a mile, somewhat hilly though) with VERY little braking power from the pedal, but going slowly it was ok (good thing it was midnight cause I couldn't stop fast). Anyway, any idea what could have happened? I will check it out tomorrow and try to give some more info, see what happened.

rtz · 02-25-2001, 12:53 AM

Sounds to me that you need to replace the master cylinder.

I've done it before. It's easy.

90dpscoupe · 02-25-2001, 01:35 AM

Check your rear brakes for fluid leaking, your rear brake cylinder could be leaking.

If it is it will need to be replaced, or rebuilt, then go ahead and flush the whole system.

Unit 5302 · 02-25-2001, 01:57 AM

Definately a master cylinder problem. Whether that's related to the master cylinder itself, or low fluid from a leaking brake line, hose, caliper, or wheel cylinder, the master cylinder is where to find out.

If the fluid is empty (just because it happend so dramatically and quickly), which is what it sounds like to me, then you've got a brake fluid leak.

If your brake fluid level is good, your master cylinder is bad.

dinomite · 02-25-2001, 10:36 AM

Funny thing is, my dad and I were planning on flushing the system this week anyway! I tried to look for a fluid leak this morning by pumping the brake and then looking at each wheel, but it raining pretty hard and I couldn't tell. I opened up the fluid resivoir, and there was no fluid in the little spout, although I don't know what it's supposed to look like so I can't say whether it was empty or not. It still has some braking power (very little) and the handbrake works, so I think that I will drive it to class (my dad are taking a county class at night, they have a nice garage+tools we use) on tues and check it out. This is just another reason why I want a manual, cause a manual, with its lower gears, is much better to drive when you have little/no braking power.

02-25-2001, 12:40 AM	#1
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	brakes are gone! So I was dropping my friend off, and about a block from his house, I'm pulling up to a stop sign, and with no warning whatsoever, the brake pedal just goes to the floor! I put it in first (AOD) at about 30, that slows me down some and then i use the handbrake. Very weird. I just drove home (about a mile, somewhat hilly though) with VERY little braking power from the pedal, but going slowly it was ok (good thing it was midnight cause I couldn't stop fast). Anyway, any idea what could have happened? I will check it out tomorrow and try to give some more info, see what happened.

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02-25-2001, 12:53 AM	#2
rtz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 180	Sounds to me that you need to replace the master cylinder. I've done it before. It's easy.

02-25-2001, 01:35 AM	#3
90dpscoupe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: sanantonio, Tx, usa Posts: 1,407	Check your rear brakes for fluid leaking, your rear brake cylinder could be leaking. If it is it will need to be replaced, or rebuilt, then go ahead and flush the whole system.

02-25-2001, 01:57 AM	#4
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Definately a master cylinder problem. Whether that's related to the master cylinder itself, or low fluid from a leaking brake line, hose, caliper, or wheel cylinder, the master cylinder is where to find out. If the fluid is empty (just because it happend so dramatically and quickly), which is what it sounds like to me, then you've got a brake fluid leak. If your brake fluid level is good, your master cylinder is bad.

02-25-2001, 10:36 AM	#5
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	Funny thing is, my dad and I were planning on flushing the system this week anyway! I tried to look for a fluid leak this morning by pumping the brake and then looking at each wheel, but it raining pretty hard and I couldn't tell. I opened up the fluid resivoir, and there was no fluid in the little spout, although I don't know what it's supposed to look like so I can't say whether it was empty or not. It still has some braking power (very little) and the handbrake works, so I think that I will drive it to class (my dad are taking a county class at night, they have a nice garage+tools we use) on tues and check it out. This is just another reason why I want a manual, cause a manual, with its lower gears, is much better to drive when you have little/no braking power.