by Guest Fri Jul 01, 2011 6:05 pmI wasn't driving it at the time at least. Everything was working fine yesterday. Today I drove it a few miles (5). On the way home it felt like the pedal was a little squishy, but everything was still working fine. It was such a slight difference that I wasn't sure if it was just me or not. I got home and had it parked for about 3 hours. I ran a new wire to the fuel tank sending unit and cleaned it out. Went to fill it up for a camping trip tomorrow and out of nowhere the brakes were completely gone. I do all my own work, and can replace anything, just not great at finding the problem. What should I check, and how?
4 posters
Brakes went out
SDEconoTruck- Number of posts : 310
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2010-05-26
Look for leaks. Check the backside of the backing plates.
Fluid loss some place will cause total brake failure. I had a bleed
screw loose and the pedal was gone.
Another is a mechanical linkage going bad like the connection
from the pedal to the master.
Last, look for fluid at the master cylinder.
Fluid loss some place will cause total brake failure. I had a bleed
screw loose and the pedal was gone.
Another is a mechanical linkage going bad like the connection
from the pedal to the master.
Last, look for fluid at the master cylinder.
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12220
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
Thats right,,,,,,,If the master cylinder fluid level has not gone down,,,,,,,,then the Master Cylinder went bad,,,,,,,
Guest- Guest
Found it. Tiny leak at the master cylinder, probably only 5 drops sitting on the belly pan. Guess it finally got low enough to be useless. How hard is it to rebuild the mc? I'd much rather spend 15 bucks on the kit than 100 on the whole thing.
Also how do I check the level on the mc. This is my first car without a hood. It's also my first vehicle built before 1988. It's kinda like when I switched from PC to Mac. Everything is so simple it confuses me.
Also how do I check the level on the mc. This is my first car without a hood. It's also my first vehicle built before 1988. It's kinda like when I switched from PC to Mac. Everything is so simple it confuses me.
61econoline- Number of posts : 655
Location : florida
Registration date : 2009-04-16
theres an access plug in the floor by drivers feet pop it off master cylinder lid is there
donivan65- Governor
- Number of posts : 12220
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2008-05-12
,,,,,,,so I guess you don't check the fluid level too often,,,,,,,there is a hole in the floor under the drivers seat to get to the cover of the master cylinder to see if it is full. If the brake pedal went to the floor, the cups inside the master cylinder could get scored by any corrosion in the bore,,,,,,so there is a chance the master cylinder will fail shortly even if you fix any other leaks,,,,,,,so you can get a kit,,,,,just a couple of rubber cups to put into it,,,,,,HOWEVER,,,,,,,you need to make sure the bore inside it is smooth,,,,,,,run a hone in there to clean it up,,,,,,,
SDEconoTruck- Number of posts : 310
Location : San Diego, California
Registration date : 2010-05-26
Sounds like you isolated the leak. Can you paper towel it dry enough
to get an eyeball on the exact point of leakage?
You might want to go for the easier problems first, like a loose line
fitting that leaked over time until the master fluid level got too low,
now you're pumping air (ie. no brakes.)
That said, you got to respect the function of your brakes, if you
suspect the master needs a rebuild, then follow through with it.
Just eliminate the simpler causes around it then check for function.
(if you screw up your brakes, they will screw with you...)
to get an eyeball on the exact point of leakage?
You might want to go for the easier problems first, like a loose line
fitting that leaked over time until the master fluid level got too low,
now you're pumping air (ie. no brakes.)
That said, you got to respect the function of your brakes, if you
suspect the master needs a rebuild, then follow through with it.
Just eliminate the simpler causes around it then check for function.
(if you screw up your brakes, they will screw with you...)
Sy Hollinshead- Number of posts : 466
Location : Cambridgeshire, UK
Registration date : 2008-10-11
5 drops of brake fluid shouldn't cause you any major problems. I would be checking elsewhere for leaks as well....
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