Braking, or the abject lack of....

[markthe45king]

Anyone have any ideas why my brakes appear to have almost totally failed? They were fine on Wednesday but last night it appears that the pedal was ineffective right down to the last few centimetres, and then appeared to only stop (as opposed to gradually slow us ) the car if the clutch was depressed or if you pumped the pedal (then on the 3rd pump we'd stop.) I can't think of anything that might have caused this, no tinkering has occurred and there are no other tell tale signs (though i'm not sure i'd know what i was looking for) except for a creaking noise when the brakes were applied.

What is likely to have caused this? I'm unlikely to repair myself (my rule is not to mess with anything i am likely to die from if i get it wrong!) but i would like a steer before i contact my garage with the good news. thanks as ever.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Is there still fluid in the master cylinder? Any obvious fluid leaks on the ground under the master cylinder or on the backing plates of the other ones?

Usually if the master cylinder goes the fluid spits out into the chassis leg. You can try topping up and seeing if that works, but a good going over of all the cylinders would be a good idea.

[bmcecosse]

Creaking noise/need to push down clutch pedal suggests the clutch pedal is seized on the shaft - so a good dose of release oil followed by real oil should help that. But sudden drop in pedal as you describe is likely to be a LEAK - so as above check the fluid level urgently and then start looking for the leak...........

[Trickydicky]

Hi,
Sounds like the Master Cylinder has failed, as above check if there is any fluid left in the cylinder. If it is the cylinder fit a new one rather than a £10 seal kit, only to find in a months time it has happened again. Its false economy.

Richard

[mike.perry]

When was the fluid in the master cylinder last checked?
Do you know where the master cylinder is?

[Neil MG]

The master cylinder often fails without losing fluid, the primary seal leaks but the fluid is retained by the secondary seal. Pumping the pedal then works the brakes. Make sure that the brake shoes are correctly adjusted, if the pedal goes to the floor (and the piston is fully retracted) and the cylinder is full, you need new seals or more likely a new cylinder.

[markthe45king]

time to start looking at the haynes manual then to locate the master cylinder. The brakes were done about 6 months ago - but i have never thought to check the fluid levels - so will need to look at how to do that too, but i suspect i might just check the fluid levels - top up if it is that and then drive slowly to the nearest MM garage about half an hour away and let them do the brake work - i'm not really so confident in my ability to do anything with dire consequences if i cock a doodle diddley it up!

[bmcecosse]

Only drive it IF the pedal comes up to something like normal.......

[mike.perry]

Topping up the master cylinder will not cure your braking problem, it is only part of the proceedure. DO NOT drive your car without the brakes working properly. I would not like to be the person that you run down because you have no brakes and Mr. Plod will not be impressed.

[tomothy94]

i was having this problem too. in my case, the brake shoes needed adjusting - it's simple to do and i'd suggest you have a go before buying anything that may not be necessary

[tomothy94]

i was having this problem too. in my case, the brake shoes needed adjusting - it's simple to do and i'd suggest you have a go before buying anything that may not be necessary

[Trickydicky]

Fluid in the Chassis Leg is usually a good indication the Master Cylinder has failed

If fluid is in the chassis leg then topping it up will not be an option as once the fluid has emptied from the cylinder you will have air in the system.

I think as you are not prepared to attempt fixing the brakes yourself the car needs to be trailered to a garage.

Richard

[markthe45king]

operation trailering is now in effect....

i do sometimes feel bad that Lily has an owner who won't do some of these things that many of you make sound so simple, but whilst i am happy tinkering with the carb (and replaced my fuel pump) etc, i am worried about the consequences of messing brakes up, so i leave that to the professionals. However, with all the good advice and support i get, i am now adept at recognising problems and getting things done (whilst also apparently keeping a garage in business, single handedly!)