dwang

While driving the other day, I noticed that my brakes were getting weak. I would step on the pedal to brake, but I had to give it a little more force than I usually do to get the car to stop. So I pulled the car over to test the pressure by stepping on the pedal 10-15 times. I noticed that on the last press, the emergency brake light flashed and the pedal went right down to the floor of the car. I felt a bit uncomfortable driving, so I slowly drove the car back home (about a 10 min drive). While driving, the emergency brake light was now constantly on, and the brake pedal fell to the floor every time I used it. It was as if I had no power assist anymore. I had to used muscle and extra pressure to the pedal to get the car to stop.

I checked the PS fluid when I got back and it was full. There are no leaks anywhere to be found in the hydraulic system. The brake lines were changed about 5k miles ago and I got new hydraulic hoses (rebuilt) just 3 months ago. Do these symtoms sound like it's my pressure accumulator or could it be something else? Any help would be appreciated. BTW, does anyone have an accumulator lying around in case I need one?


Thanks,
Dave

UrS4boy

Stop driving the car. You have serious problem beyond the "bomb".

chefbob

what lines where changed? one's that go to the caliper or the lines that run front to rear?

Stroker//S4

That sounds like when one of my brake lines went on my 93' (one of the lines to the caliper, stupid stainless lines...). I would like to hear the answer you have to chefbob's question.

SilberUrS6

Pedal to the floor is an indication of a bad master cylinder.

I would expect other symptoms, however. Leaky or blown brake line would lead to fluid loss.

Clogged high pressure hydraulic hose? The little screen might be completely plugged.

dwang

come on whenever there's a problem with the hydraulic system?

dwang

I will check the brake lines and the brake fluid again to make sure that there are positively no leaks.

SilberUrS6

...but it does come on with low pressure at the bomb, and for low brake fluid.

You may need to STFA for the pressure testing rig and procedure. I would do that after taking the hydraulic lines off and inspecting them (and the screens) for junk.

dwang

I should just be able to disconnect the lines without "pumping" the pedal?

SilberUrS6

You have no idea what the pressure is there right now.

It COULD be 2500psi. And you might lose an eye.



No, pump the brakes with the motor off to relieve all the pressure first, then start taking stuff off. Make sure you catch your Pentosin in a clean container - no need to throw all that new Liquid Gold(tm) away.