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Brakes went out

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simpzimmer

simpzimmer

Senior Member
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I was on my way to work this morning in my 79 Spit when a car pulled out in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, they locked up for a second, and then there was a snap. My brakes fell to the floor and the brake light came on. Luckily I swerved and missed the other car. The brake light has stayed on and I have a little bit of brakes. The peddle goes almost to the floor and then there's a little bit of pressure right at the floor board. I could use a little advice on where to start looking for the problem. I'm at work right now and I'm going to have to creep home downshifting at curves and such. I'm hoping its just a seal or a line or something like that...Any suggestions or similiar experiences?
 
Not sure about the snap.
Check the brake fluid reservoir. Is it low?
Do you get some brake if you pump the pedal?
Look under the car to see if there are any puddles of fluid. Pump the brakes (where it's parked now) and look for drips or puddles.
Your master cylinder may have failed.
Does the parking brake work?
If you don't have enough brakes to stop you should not drive it home. It's not worth taking a chance.
 
I agree; call your auto club, or a buddy with a trailer, or whatever you have to do to get the car home safely. And yeah, chances are you're going to find a puddle in or on a part of the car or on the ground near that failure. I'm guessing it will be pretty obvious where the failure is.

But (no offense, please) it sounds as if it's time to do a thorough inspection of the braking system, parts of which likely are now 27 years old!
 
What a sinking feeling that must have been... certainly not one you want to experience again on the way home even if you're expecting it.

The good news is that is should be easy to diagnose (as Andy notes, put in more brake fluid and look for the leak) and brake components are fairly inexpensive considering how important they are.
 
I went out on lunch break. The reservoir is empty. I don't see any fluid on the ground. I may have already leaked it all out. The hoses near the wheels appear to be dry. I can't see beyond that right now. You're right though, I don't think its safe to try for home. I'm finding people to call right now. Thanks
 
Ah...it's beginning to sound as if you "popped" a rusted steel line somewhere, likely as not towards the rear of the car. That might explain the lack of fluid near wheels. Given your attempted "panic stop," it's quite possible that all the fluid was pushed out during the incident.
 
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