Hey guys so I was driving to school today and my brakes felt really spongy. Leaving school my brakes completely failed me and I ran a stop light. I pulled off using my e-brake/reverse-park and checked my reservoir. Completely empty.. I had some in my rear compartment so I refilled it, pumped the brakes and was planning on bleeding it at home. Well on the way home my brakes went out again and almost ran a stop sign in my neigborhood. (I had my hazards on and going 15mph after the first incident) Checked the reservoir and empty yet again. When I pump the brakes in park it doesn't get stiffer. I haven't really looked at anything yet because I had to study for AP Bio but once I have time I'm thinking to check the brake lines, the brake calipers for leakage, and hopefully not, but check the brake booster/servo? Is that a good start?

 

You will need to check everything...start from the MC and work your way to the the calipers. You should be able to find the leak somewhere. Lucky for you no damage was done...

 

A leak that big should be pretty easy to spot. You'll be wanting to flush things well after repairs are made, couple of quarts of brake fluid. It may have leaked out, and been refilled, but older fluid will still be in other lines not part of the leak.

 

Same thing happened with my 98 Disco afew months ago. Drove to work just fine - my way home they failed! Checked my MC and the fluid level was low so I refilled (several times) and still no luck with braking. Had to drive home real slow with hazards . Thought it was the MC but then I found the front passenger side brake caliper pipe had severed in two thus all the brake fluid was leaking right out! Easy fix and the part is $25 give or take from RoversNorth.

So definitely check those brake caliper pipes. Each caliper has one so just take a look to make sure none are snapped or rotted through. They are located on the back of each caliper.





Do brake pipes have a tendency to snap in two? ^^

 

When they're rusted yes. In Quebec with all the salt they use on the roads during the winter it's likely to happen to 10 year or older cars. Usually it's a very easy fix and not that expensive.

Brakes completely failed on my gf's accent a couple of weeks ago when I was going down hill. She said we were lucky it happened when I was driving.

 

It's definitely my front left (driver side) brake caliper. I put in new fluid about 5 mins ago. Didn't start the car or anything and just pumped the brakes, pressure was pretty high but I could slowly push the pedal to the floor. Checked the MC and no leaks, but when I looked under Claire the front left tire was wet..

Guess I need to replace both front Brake Calipers. :P

 

There is a procedure in the RAVE for seal repair on the brake calipers. But you also have the possibility of corrosion inside the caliper, which usually means replacement. But worth reading about. $13 - $18 at Rock Auto for a kit.

 

I'd rather not take that chance, since the brake calipers were never replaced and I already replaced both rear ones. I should have done the front awhile back but I procrastinated. Guess this justifies doing it, I just wish they would stop charging for the "core" especially if the part is brand new..

 

Well, if you need to be back on the road to cautiously get around town, might think about alternatives (reman, salvage, etc.) to get you going until the parts you desire are available at the price you want.

 

Most reputable sellers will not sell used brake parts. Rebuilt yes, just used, no.