I was driving my car when I realized my brake.

DJSMITH1696

MEMBER
1999 BUICK LESABRE
120,000 MILES

I was driving my car when I realized my brake pedal went all the way to the floor and the brake light came on. When I got home I realized there was no brake fluid in the reservoir. 2 weeks later I checked the back of the tires for brake fluid leaks but the car sat for 2 weeks by the time I got to it so I couldnt tell. I refilled the reservoir and no matter how many time I pump the brakes the fluid never leaves the reservoir and the pedal goes all the way to the floor and all I hear is air in the master cylinder but there was no bubbles. My question is how do I regain pressure after losing all of my brake fluid? The brakes do not work at all no matter how many times I pump them. Do I have to change the master cylinder or power booster or what?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Forget the power booster. That just makes it easier to push the brake pedal. First you have to determine where the fluid went. If you don't see anything by any wheel, rubber flex hose or under the left side under the doors, unbolt the master cylinder from the booster and pull it away a little to look behind it to see if brake fluid was running into the booster.

Was the reservoir totally empty or just real low? If it was low, check the front brake pads on both sides to see how much lining is left. Once the brakes pad condition is known and you see what was leaking, we can figure out how to proceed.