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bobthebobert
New User
Mar 31, 2007, 11:39 PM
Post #1 of 4
(3378 views)
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94 Corsica - Brakes
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So my brakes seemed to go out on my car, as in I have to slam them down to slow at all. I looked under the hood and found that the brake fluid container was empty. So I bought some brake fluid and put it in. Brakes worked good for a few minutes, then I noticed that there was a small stream of liquid going into the passengers side floor. Does this mean my brake tube's are broken, a connector maybe, or is it something you can't know for sure unless you looked at in person?
Edit - Ok what's really important for me to know, is whats happening to my brakes when there is no brake fluid? I am trying my best not to use my car, because I doubt having no brake fluid in can be a good thing, but how badly am I messing up my car every time I drive it around?
(This post was edited by bobthebobert on Apr 1, 2007, 1:17 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 1, 2007, 3:10 AM
Post #2 of 4
(3372 views)
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Re: 94 Corsica - Brakes
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No Joking - Tow this car to get the leak fixed!!
Brake fluid is the hydraulic fluid that allows the force on your brake pedal to go through lines and hoses to apply the brakes. You should never see it on the ground or floor or have to add fluid very often. In the life of the friction linings the fluid will lower and it can be topped off as marked on the master cylinder's reservoir.
There are metal lines that distribute the fluid under high pressure to each wheel but must pass thru a flexible hose to allow for turning wheels and suspension while not losing pressure.
The hoses can be a weak link. Lines The metal lines can get damaged or rust and the rubber hoses just get worn out and can leak or blow out and in either case loss of braking will occur.
Systems are split so you separate generally front from rear brakes but if this happens there is great loss of stopping ability an a pronounced low brake pedal when applied.
Please find the leak and fix it. If a hose to a wheel do them in pairs at least.
Some vehicles only use one flex hose to the rear brakes if an axle. All should be inspected.
Use only brake fluid with the rating for the car. Most will say DOT 3 and say so where you fill it.
Rubber brake parts will fail if oils are used.
TOO IMPORTANT NOT TO FIX AT ONCE! T
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bobthebobert
New User
Apr 14, 2007, 1:12 AM
Post #3 of 4
(3349 views)
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Re: 94 Corsica - Brakes
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Hey, thanks for your help. I took it to this mechanic guy, and he found where the brake line break is. Problem is, it's kinda this ghetto setup, so he won't order the part, I have to. I asked him to be as specific as he could when he said I needed new brake lines, and all he would say is.. brake line. So I figured there were just generic brake lines I could use, but when I went to get them from a local NAPA, they said they needed to know the dimensions of the brake line, the length and diameter. Where would I find this information? Is there a website? Thanks.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 14, 2007, 3:58 AM
Post #4 of 4
(3348 views)
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Re: 94 Corsica - Brakes
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This is a fairly common problem. The metal line can be purchased by the foot and it's not that expensive. Those you can make yourself with a flaring kit - most mechanics would have this or just buy pre-made lines and a union if needed. There may have different flare nut ends so sometimes it's easier to make your own with the old flare nuts. Metal line is made to bend -- either carefully by hand or there are tools that do a nice job. There are generally two sizes of the metal line. It's basic work but does take some experience to do well. Lines are held by clips so they don't rub and make a hole in them.
The parts are not the hard part here. It's the dealing with rust that makes it tough to do and the labor will probably exceed the parts cost. Mechanics do this all the time. The metal lines if available pre-made and bent exactly couldn't be installed in most cases without taking your engine out which is NOT necessary.
The rubber flex hoses take a part company to make and they are asymetrically opposite (like your left and right hand should be) - (or a mirror image of each other) and still not awefully expensive -- perhaps $20 to $30 or so.
If rust is an issue where you drive that can complicate a simple job into needing more parts if lines break off or bleeders can break off too and it will need to be bled out when fixed.
YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET YOUR OWN PARTS AT A SHOP IN BIZ TO FIX CARS!!
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Re: websites: You are at one of the best and my personal favorite. The sites no doubt make some money selling parts (this job wouldn't make much in parts) and ads for companies.
If you want check out some others.
One for brakes (have your VIN and month/year made ready) www.automotivebrake.us or Ph: (978) 562-7004) they will ship but that's not their primary biz.
Alldata.com will sell you a download for your car bumper to bumper.
Good luck and hit back with your location as somebody here may know of a shop near you. This repair shouldn't wait,
T
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