Brake Problem

I was driving home from Northwest Arkansas on the interstate when I started to exit, pressed the brake pedal, and the pedal went to the floor. The brake light came on and I was barely able to stop. Luckily, if I pump the pedal, the brakes will build up pressure and start to work again. This works until I let off the brake pedal, then the next time I press the pedal, it hits the floor.

Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks,
Jonathan

 

4dr73',
sorry to hear that .
check the master cyl. and see if the front or back bowl is empty. that will give you a hint as to what end to pull down and check the wheel cyls...frank...

 

I checked the master cylinder and the back was low but not empty. I thought it might be the master cylinder, but I'm not sure. jack up the back axle tomorrow and see about the wheel cylinders.

Jonathan

 

Sounds like a master cylinder problem to me. Even if the bowls are not empty, what happens is that the internal seals fail and although the fluid does not escape, pressure does not build up to apply the brakes. This has happened to me several times over the years, including coming off the interstate once, similar to your experience. Definitely not cool!

 

I have also had a brake line bust doing the exact same thing.....look for a busted brake line...rubber or steel.

 

Sounds like the master cyl to me.

 

The new master cylinder came in today. It's too bad I have to work this evening. Looks like I'll be installing the new master cylinder tomorrow afternoon.
Hopefully this will fix the problem. I'll keep everyone informed.

Jonathan

 

It worked

The new master cylinder did the trick. The brakes work better now than when I got the car.:bananaman Thanks for all the help. I'll get some pictures of the engine bay up in a few days.

Jonathan