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Brakes went out... where to start?

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Old 06-14-2010, 02:12 PM
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Default Brakes went out... where to start?

Hopped in my truck after getting gas. Had my foot on the brake when I started it and as soon as it started brake pedal went to the floor and I have ABS and BRAKE lights on the cluster. Brakes barely work, I have to push the pedal all the way to the floor. I took a quick look under the hood but didn't see any obvious signs of brake fluid leaking. Some of my hard lines are looking pretty rusty. Where should I start looking? Never had this happen on a car before.

The ironic thing is I drove my truck today because I'm putting a new water pump in my daily driver tonight. The joy of owning cars with high miles.

Rob
 

Last edited by Sport1500; 06-14-2010 at 02:36 PM.
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Old 06-14-2010, 03:12 PM
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any leaking from rear drums? sounds like a wheel cylinder went.
 
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Old 06-14-2010, 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Sport1500
The ironic thing is I drove my truck today because I'm putting a new water pump in my daily driver tonight. The joy of owning cars with high miles.

Rob
Welcome to the Club!

I would first check your brake fluid level. This will tell you whether you are losing brake fluid or if its another issue. I had this issue when the mechanic of the previous owner messed up his brake job and I was loosing fluid everywhere. If your not loosing fluid then I would check your brakes. I found my rear drum brakes to be absolutely horrible, so I would definantly check there next.
 
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Old 06-14-2010, 03:27 PM
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The fluid level didn't look like it had dropped but I didn't drive that far after this happened so it may not have had a chance. I will have to check out the wheel cylinders. I hate drum brakes! I had problems with them on my old Toyota truck

Rob
 
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Old 06-14-2010, 03:39 PM
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my guess is brake line?
 
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Old 06-14-2010, 03:47 PM
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Definately a possibility. The hard lines look sketchy. This truck has spent its life in Wisconsin and Illinois so it's seen its share of salt

Rob
 
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Old 06-14-2010, 03:59 PM
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Probably the line above the gas tank. It's notorious for rupturing.
 
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Old 06-14-2010, 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by bigtman07
Probably the line above the gas tank. It's notorious for rupturing.
Looks like this may be it. I just went out to the parking lot here at work and there is brake fluid running down the side of my gas tank. This is a hard line correct?

Rob
 
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Old 06-14-2010, 04:56 PM
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Yep. Mine and many others did the same thing. Been a couple of pretty lengthy discussions on this. Try the search feature.
 
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Old 06-14-2010, 05:20 PM
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Ok thanks alot fellas. I had searched around before posting but I may have not been using the correct words. I found some older threads now.

Rob
 



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