SPONSORED LINKS

Is it a brake problem?

Tiny
JAN3
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 OLDSMOBILE CIERA
  • 12,000 MILES
96 oldsmobile ciera, I heard a soft pop then the brake went almost down to the floor, slow stopping. What could cause this?
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 9:19 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Something has given way with the brakes and you need to check what has gone wrong. Check the fluid level. You could have burst a hose, master cylinder gone bad or a leak at the wheels.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 9:21 PM
Tiny
JAN3
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
What kind of hose could have possibly leaked? Do all four wheels have something that could leak too? Is the replacement of a master cylinder very expensive. Thank you so much.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 9:55 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The brake system has flexible hoses between the body and wheel for every wheel and any of these can leak/burst. Each wheel has calipers or slave cylinders that can leak too.

Master cylinder is the most expensive component among the brake system, except the ABS modulator of course. Cost varies and you need to check locally to confirm.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 9:58 PM
Tiny
JAN3
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Does an ABS modulator cost about $400.00? What on earth would a master cylinder possibly cost? YIKES!

Thank you so much.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 10:18 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Start with a diag before pricing anything. It could be one of the steel lines rotted out and is leaking.

Roy
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
JAN3
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I am a woman who lives alone and have been taken advantage of many times when it comes to car repairs. Should I suggest that a friend thought it might be a rotted line leaking or would that just make the mechanic angry? Thank you so much for your help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No, let them tell you the issue. Ask around for people who trust different shops and get bids.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 10:35 PM
Tiny
JAN3
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Last week I had my car towed and repaired because it suddenly revved up and surged forward, wouldn't stop with my foot on brake. They replaced something called valve air control, I think. Could that have anything to do with my current problem? Thank you
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No, but the excessive pressure you used to stop the car may have weakened the line.

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 10:43 PM
Tiny
DJCL
  • MECHANIC
  • 767 POSTS
Add brake fluid to the master cylinder and have someone pump the brakes while you look under the car. See if and where fluid is leaking and I will give you a quote
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 10:57 PM
Tiny
JAN3
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
You've been sooo helpful and I appreciate it but I have no idea where the master cylinder is. That's what I mean about women and cars.

Thank You
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 12th, 2012 AT 11:01 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Look for something like the one shown in picture. There should be 2 pipes attached to it and this component is mounted to a big black round cake-like component.
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 13th, 2012 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
JAN3
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hi, I talked to the mechanic who fixed my car last week. I described the sound and problem, and he said it was a brake line. He's been in business for 18 yrs. I hope that's all it is. I had it towed there this morning. Thank you people for all of your help. It's a wonderful thing you do.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 13th, 2012 AT 4:07 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Brake Pedal Spongy Content

VIEW MORE

Sponsored links