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Tips

Lost my brakes today...unexpectedly.

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Olafthor

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I drove my '73 TR6 to work today and the brakes worked as well as they usually do. However, I remember having to hit them a wee-bit harder than usual today. Unfortunately, after sitting for 8 hours, when I when to drive it, I found that I could depress the brake pedal alway the way to the floor and I had no brakes. I did hear a air-swishing sound when I did depress the pedal. I checked for fluid leakage but could not find any near any of the wheels or underneath the car. The fluid level in the master cylinder is full to the top. Has my servo gone bad?

Thanks,
Daniel
 
Check the vacuum line from the engine to the servo and look for fluid. I've had servo's fail (not on LBCs) and normally you still have a complete system but lose the servo advantage. Sounds like a seal is letting air into the system and pressure out on down stroke. Can you isolate the servo and test the system (I have a TR3 not familiar with your car)?
 
Will do. I've also noticed that lately, the engine hasn't been running as smoothly as usual, too. I did hear a back-fire a couple of days ago.
 
Depending on the servo unit some can leak brake fluid into the intake thru the vacuum line when they lose internal seal integrity. You'll get brake fluid mixed in the fuel mixture and it usually is obvious by the white exhaust smoke. If you have the majority of your brake fluid in the resevoir it could be a minor fluid leak but a major air inlet for the system. Luck
 
Do you get any resistance when you rapidly pump the brake pedal several times? If so, you may just need the master cylinder resealed. If the bore is clean, you should have no problems.
 
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