Brake Fade

[ruthtesta@hotmail.com]

I use my bug every day and never had any problems with the brakes before. Last night as I was driving home from work they started to fade, and although they are slightly better now they are still fading in and out. Can any one tell me whats wrong and how to fix it?

[79SuperVert]

The fade could be caused by brake fluid leaking out of the wheel cylinders. I would pull the drums to see if the cylinders are leaking and wetting the linings. Otherwise I would check the brakes: In order of cheaper to more costly: check your brake fluid level to make sure it's not too low. If it is, fill it up and check for leaks, including around the brake drum rims and along the brake lines. Next, look at your brakes through the inspection holes to see if the brake shoes are close to the linings or not, and whether the shoes themselves are worn down too much. Adjust the shoes closer to the drum if they need it. If that doesn't work or the linings are too thin, you need to pull the drums and inspect everything to see if you have to replace stuff.

[ruthtesta@hotmail.com]

Ok, so I tried topping up the brake fluid, and it seemed pretty empty. After i'd done that I tried the brake and now the fluid is coming out onto the drivers side floor - any ideas where its leaking from?

[jbonzii@aol.com]

Sounds like you have a bad seal inside your master cylinder. You can either buy a rebuild kit for it or just buy a new one. Around $35 U.S. That should alleviate your problem.

[79SuperVert]

It could be the master cylinder, whose rubber boot protrudes into the passenger compartment by the brake pedal, or it could be that the brake line running from front to back along the floor next to the center tunnel is leaking. I had both problems. You need to remove the carpet and look near the brake pedal when you push it with your hand to see if the fluid is coming from the master cylinder or from the brake line. You probably will also have brake fluid leaks onto the floor from either the front or the back if it is the master cylinder, because some of the fluid is going to leak out of the cylinder and trickle along the pan or suspension components into the tunnel and out the front or back drain holes. My brake line was rusted through near the brake pedal cluster. When a previous owner replaced the rusted floor pan they neglected to realize the line had rusted, too. Either way once you locate the leak and replace the components you need to wash down the inside floor and maybe the tunnel as well to remove traces of the brake fluid, otherwise the fluid will take off the paint.

[ruthtesta@hotmail.com]

Thanks everyone, it was the brake line from the master cylinder to the rear wheels - rusted through! Merry Christmas!