Brakes were soft and had to push the pedal to the floor

BASSLERFOUR

MEMBER
2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
94,000 MILES

Brakes were soft and had to push the pedal to the floor to get them to stop the car. Now when the pedal is pushed to the floor it does not stop the car. I checked the brake fluid and it was low so I added some. But brakes are still not working. Do I need to replace the Master Cylinder of could it be accumulator failure causing the brakes to fail? Can the master cylinder be replaced yourself or is this something that a mechanic should do, and if so about how much does this cost? Thanks for your assistance! Kimberly

7 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

First step is a complete brake inspection, any of your hydraulic parts could be leaking, I would remove all four wheels and check brakes, inspect steel lines and rubber flex hoses. If all check out OK then it's time to suspect the master cylinder, when you adde fluid you used DOT 3 brake fluid right? I would suspect there is air in the lines. These guides can help you fix it.

https://youtu.be/w7gUsj2us0U

and

https://youtu.be/WDxvEQrMkBg

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Thursday, January 7th, 2010 AT 1:35 PM

BASSLERFOUR

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4 POSTS

Yes, that is what I put in. Will have husband check what you recommended and see if that may be the
culprit.

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Thursday, January 7th, 2010 AT 1:54 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Have you been hearing any grinding or feeling it in the pedal?

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Thursday, January 7th, 2010 AT 3:08 PM

BASSLERFOUR

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4 POSTS

Yes there is a grinding sound and I noticed that after I added the brake fluid after some time the brakes did not feel as "soft" as they were and I back up in my parking area and pulled forward and they were working however they got soft again and then I noticed that the brake fluid was on my parking area! What do you think?

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Thursday, January 7th, 2010 AT 4:42 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

I think one of your calipers is leaking, look on the tires on the inside, you will find one is wet with brake fluid or a steel line is dripping. Have hubby step on the pedal and look for the leak! In any case it's time for some new parts! Dont drive until leaks are fixed, and the master should be OK and better yet, you will live to drive again!