Until about a week ago, no problems. I had a complete brake job last
year.
I noticed recently that the brakes were taking longer to stop. I just
figured I wore the pads out again, I drive a lot and am somewhat led
footed. But going home yesterday, the pedal on the truck would go most
of the way to the floor and was very spongy. The truck would stop but
the harder I pushed the pedal, it didn't seem to change how fast I was
stopping. Kind of like stopping a ship at sea. On the way home, the
ABS and Brake light both came on. I stopped and found that the master
cylinder resovoir was almost empty.
I stopped at a local shop and had it checked expecting to find that I
had a leaking caliper at 98K miles. The mechanic looked at it and said
he didn't see any leaks on the front or back and that I had 70% wear
left on all of my pads. He felt that the last people who did my brake
job might have bled the brakes but not refilled the tank.
When I left, the ABS light and brake light were still on but he said
that the ABS unit needed a few miles to get filled back up and that it
should go off. The brakes seemed better but still not normal. I drove
it to work today and the lights are still on after about 40 miles.
Braking is back to being terrible.
Any ideas? A leak he didn't notice? A bad ABS unit?
Thanks,
Michael
miles - 22 Feb 2006 13:25 GMT
> Until about a week ago, no problems. I had a complete brake job last
> year.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> Any ideas? A leak he didn't notice? A bad ABS unit?
Did the mechanic blead the brakes again? Maybe a bad master cylinder,
hole in the diaphragm etc.
Newarcher@gmail.com - 22 Feb 2006 13:48 GMT
I called the mechanic and that is exactly what he said. I asked if it
could possibly be the ABS pump or unit and he said it would be a first
for him on a vehicle that young. He said that he thinks it could be a
bad master cylinder caused by air getting into it. He wants me to come
back in and double check the engine codes to make sure no ABS
information is sending and then replace the master cylinder.
I read an article that described my condition exactly: One classic
symptom of a master cylinder that is leaking internally is a brake
pedal that slowly sinks when you maintain pressure on it with your
foot. Instead of a nice, firm pedal, the pedal slowly sinks and may go
all the way to the floor.
The mechanic mentioned bench bleeding the cylinder as the article did
so I think this is a very honest mechanic. He could have taken me last
night for a haul because I was desperate but took me in right at
closing time and gave it a once over.
Thanks,
Michael
ninebal310@aol.com - 23 Feb 2006 12:15 GMT
Michael writes:
The mechanic mentioned bench bleeding the cylinder as the article did
so I think this is a very honest mechanic. He could have taken me last
night for a haul because I was desperate but took me in right at
closing time and gave it a once over.
Thanks,
Michael
He may be honest, but I doubt he's "good". If there were no leaks in
the lines or at the calipers, then it has to be in the master cylinder.
Sure, you're fluid level will drop as your breakes wear, but not to the
extent you describe unless all the pads are down to metal.
If your fluid level is low again, you'll find you need a new master
cylinder and that will end your problems. If your fluid level is still
at the top, check the booster and the vacuum line going to it.
Since your pedal slowly goes down to the floor, my guess would be a
master cylinder replacement is in order because the pressure isn't
being held due to a leak.
Hope this helps.
Hank
Newarcher@gmail.com - 23 Feb 2006 12:44 GMT
The Master Cylinder was the problem....$400 later I am not a happy
camper but it stops like it is new again.
The bad news is that the same thing has happened to my wife's van but
her's hasn't hit rock bottom like mine did.
Thanks,
Michael
BigIron - 23 Feb 2006 18:03 GMT
> The Master Cylinder was the problem....$400 later I am not a happy
> camper but it stops like it is new again.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Thanks,
> Michael
Don't even consider delaying the repair. They fail without warning as
well, and you've been warned. Don't let a collision be the impetus for
making the repair.
TBone - 23 Feb 2006 03:21 GMT
Did you check your fluid level again?

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> Until about a week ago, no problems. I had a complete brake job last
> year.
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> Thanks,
> Michael