My brakes

knip

knip

knip

Soldato
Joined
28 Jun 2006
Posts
11,102
Location
Somewhere in Bristol
Ok so yesterday I drove from Bristol to Sheffield and back and I kind of noticed a problem with my brakes and need some advice.

When I first put my foot on the brake pedal, it starts to brake, but then it doesnt brake any more, and a couple of times I got very close to hitting the car in front (when I had been a perfectly safe distance away when starting to brake)

I havent got a light on to say the brake fluid is low, and the car had new brake pads and shoes (I think it was both, a mechanic friend I am no longer in contact with did it for me - had two parts to it if I remember correctly) 18 months ago.

I know I need to go and get it checked id just like to kind of know what im talking about when I take it in the garage, any ideas what it could be?
 
As our trucking friend says, could be many things.

Likely culprits:

Rear wheel cylinders leaking (if it has drums - what car is it)
Master cylinder knackered
Leaking brake line

Is the pedal sinking when the car is failing to stop?

Or is the pedal remaining very firm and the car just not slowing down?

The former points to a leak, the latter to air in the system.
 
Its a vauxhall corsa. (52 plate)
I have the brake pedal right on the floor and its not stopping. As in I am pressing harder to try and stop the car, but its not very effective.
 
Definitely do not drive the car.

Was it discs and pads that were changed? Brake shoes wear very slowly compared to pads.

Quite a few things it could be really, but one thing to bear in mind is low level warning lights can also fail.
 
nutcase_1uk said:
Definitely do not drive the car.

Was it discs and pads that were changed? Brake shoes wear very slowly compared to pads.

Quite a few things it could be really, but one thing to bear in mind is low level warning lights can also fail.
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Im pretty sure it was both yes.
I have a kwik fit literally at the end of my road, might try and get it in there today.
 
knip said:
And what does that mean and how much is it going to cost me?
:(
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The braking system on a car relies on hydraulic pressure. When it springs a leak, fluid escapes and you no longer have sufficient hydraulic pressure to stop the car. That's the most likely cause of why your pedal is going to the floor - the master cylinder is squeezing the fluid to operate the calipers and wheel cylinders, but the fluid is just coming out instead.

I'd almost be willing to put money on it being one (or both) rear wheel cylinders. There is one inside each drum at the back. Check carefully inside the rear wheels, can you feel any dampness or greasiness on the bottom of the drum?
 
knip said:
I need my car for work, I have a disabled child to get about. Hence me needing it fixed sooner rather than later.
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Fair enough, just pointing out the general crappyness of Krap fit (well, in my experience) as Lopez says, it does sound like a leak of some kind, possibly wheel cylinders - sharp use of the handbrake can cause them to fail early - do you like Rally driving? ;)
 
Lopéz said:
I'd almost be willing to put money on it being one (or both) rear wheel cylinders. There is one inside each drum at the back. Check carefully inside the rear wheels, can you feel any dampness or greasiness on the bottom of the drum?
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So I have to go out to the car and feel inside the wheel on the bottom where it touches the ground?
Sorry for being a girl, but I do like learning stuff, so just wanted to check.
 
knip said:
So I have to go out to the car and feel inside the wheel on the bottom where it touches the ground?
Sorry for being a girl, but I do like learning stuff, so just wanted to check.
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Jack up the car & remove the back wheels, a leaking cylnder would be pretty obvious, even Krap fit should manage to spot this....

Get them to take a look, but, I'd be very wary of what they say needs fixing - they may be bang on, they may just try to fleece you.

(Can you tell I've had bad experiences with them in the past?)
 
Im a girl!
I live on my own!
Im 5ft 2 and I have no clue about safely jacking my car up!
(let alone taking the wheels off)

Hence the problem, and if im not meant to drive the car the nearest garage (about 2 mins drive) is Kwik Fit.
 
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That shows it from both sides - see the round grotty thing about the size of a small plate that the wheel is attached to? That's the drum. Check around the bottom of it for signs of leaking fluid. Then check the other side.

Lack of fluid doesn't mean it isn't leaking, it can all stay inside the drum for some time, but if it IS leaking out of the cylinder it's just easier to spot.

EDIT

You should be able to get away with not jacking it up but you will need to get down on the floor and poke your head under the back bumper.
 
Lopéz said:
That shows it from both sides - see the round grotty thing about the size of a small plate that the wheel is attached to? That's the drum. Check around the bottom of it for signs of leaking fluid. Then check the other side.

Lack of fluid doesn't mean it isn't leaking, it can all stay inside the drum for some time, but if it IS leaking out of the cylinder it's just easier to spot.
Click to expand...

Ok am running down the stairs to have a look now.
 
Ok its all very nice and clean under there and no sign of anything leaking.
Havent driven the car for 12 hours now though so would it dry out?
The driveway hasnt got any evidence of anything leaking onto it either.
 
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