Brake Failure
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Shreveport Louisiana
Brake Failure
Last night my brakes were feeling a little bit mushy.
The brake fluid was a little low, so I put some more in.
Today on the way to work they pretty much didn't work at all. All the way to the floor and I barely get anything.
A few days ago I had to jack the front end up and all I could reach were the A Arms, is it possible I broke open a brake line? I drove it after I had jacked it up and there were no problems.
The E brake is fairly useless, so does anyone have any suggestions?
The brake fluid was a little low, so I put some more in.
Today on the way to work they pretty much didn't work at all. All the way to the floor and I barely get anything.
A few days ago I had to jack the front end up and all I could reach were the A Arms, is it possible I broke open a brake line? I drove it after I had jacked it up and there were no problems.
The E brake is fairly useless, so does anyone have any suggestions?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,113
From: Crossville TN
If you had a significant leak in either the front brake set or the back set, the "BRAKE" light on the dash should have come on. Since it did not, and, if you can not locate any obvious leaking (check backside of tires first), the problem is likely with your master cylinder.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Shreveport Louisiana
Also, I checked under the car before I left this morning and there were no signs of leaks from the lines. I pumped the pedal a couple of times when I got to work to see if any would leak out while it sits. If there are no leaks I can assume to change the MS and call it a day?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
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From: Shreveport Louisiana
They didn't work any better than last night when I left this morning. Felt worse actually, right after pulling out onto the highway.
I went to pop the hood and check it out when I got to work, but the passenger hood release is acting up again. I'll check it out when I get out.
I went to pop the hood and check it out when I got to work, but the passenger hood release is acting up again. I'll check it out when I get out.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 8
From: delco pa
They didn't work any better than last night when I left this morning. Felt worse actually, right after pulling out onto the highway.
I went to pop the hood and check it out when I got to work, but the passenger hood release is acting up again. I'll check it out when I get out.
I went to pop the hood and check it out when I got to work, but the passenger hood release is acting up again. I'll check it out when I get out.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
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From: Shreveport Louisiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 29
From: Texas
I can tell you it is scary.
I had two situations. One, the most scary was when a c-clip came loose after a MC installation. Just not put back together correctly. C-clip came off and when trying to stop after a very spirited driving period on the beltway in Houston, approaching a toll booth, I had no brakes at all. Fortunately I was able to coast to a stop with no obstructions.
Other times, I would loose brakes just like you. Could have them nice and tight one day and a day or so later, would go to the floor and barely stop. Rear wheel assembly/bearings not installed and trued and brakes were sucking in air. Took weeks and finally to car to a reputable dealer in Houston and they fixed it properly. Never a problem since. And I had nice o-ring stainless calipers from VBP.
I had two situations. One, the most scary was when a c-clip came loose after a MC installation. Just not put back together correctly. C-clip came off and when trying to stop after a very spirited driving period on the beltway in Houston, approaching a toll booth, I had no brakes at all. Fortunately I was able to coast to a stop with no obstructions.
Other times, I would loose brakes just like you. Could have them nice and tight one day and a day or so later, would go to the floor and barely stop. Rear wheel assembly/bearings not installed and trued and brakes were sucking in air. Took weeks and finally to car to a reputable dealer in Houston and they fixed it properly. Never a problem since. And I had nice o-ring stainless calipers from VBP.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Could be an air bubble long trapped in the MC found it's way into a line...or it could be vibrations from the spindle causing the calipers to suck in air...
Most likely the first one. Bleed the brakes, all the way through...if the fluid still looks fine, reuse it, just make sure your catch bucket is so clean you could eat out of it, and dry. Gravity bleed till you get a steady flow out of all 4 corners, then have someone pump the brakes as you open each of the nipples.
SHOULD yield a nice firm pedal. If not, it's time to start looking at more serious possible causes.
Most likely the first one. Bleed the brakes, all the way through...if the fluid still looks fine, reuse it, just make sure your catch bucket is so clean you could eat out of it, and dry. Gravity bleed till you get a steady flow out of all 4 corners, then have someone pump the brakes as you open each of the nipples.
SHOULD yield a nice firm pedal. If not, it's time to start looking at more serious possible causes.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
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From: Shreveport Louisiana
Just limped her home. I got under there and sure enough, I broke the front passenger line with the jack the other day. All the other lines are good and there is fluid in the MC.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
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From: Shreveport Louisiana
Alright, just found the actual problem. The line is fine, no damage. One of the caliper pistons had an o ring seal fail, or an internal failure. The piston has no rebound if I press on it and the seal is loose allowing fluid through.
Would it be easier to try and fix the damage and hope the rest keep working, or just replace the whole caliper assembly? I have noticed both driver side calipers are new, and the passenger side are original. I guess that tells you something, right?
Would it be easier to try and fix the damage and hope the rest keep working, or just replace the whole caliper assembly? I have noticed both driver side calipers are new, and the passenger side are original. I guess that tells you something, right?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I got a set from VBP in 2004 and haven't had a brake problem since.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,113
From: Crossville TN
Just tear down the one giving you problems and see if the piston bore has any damage. If not, re-seal the piston and put it back together. If the brakes have been working fine, choose a good time in the future (when you will need to work on all of them) to do any modifications to the system.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 576
Likes: 3
From: Muskegon MI
In a normal car low fluid means one of two things: leak or worn pads. When pads wear the pistons come further out and allow for more fluid to stay in the caliper, which lowers the level of fluid in the M/C. Some people just put in more fluid and ignore the fact that they need work done, which costs them more in the end. I'm not saying that is the problem here, but it's a possibility.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Shreveport Louisiana
Little update. Did all this the same day I posted this thread, just haven't been on in a while.
When I pulled the caliper off, one of the pistons had failed, and was leaking around the seal. It didn't push back like the others if compressed. I got a new OEM caliper, threw it on, and bled the whole system, it worked great. The brake pads are nearly new, and the rotors are unwarped and in good shape. Haven't had any problems since.
When I pulled the caliper off, one of the pistons had failed, and was leaking around the seal. It didn't push back like the others if compressed. I got a new OEM caliper, threw it on, and bled the whole system, it worked great. The brake pads are nearly new, and the rotors are unwarped and in good shape. Haven't had any problems since.
