Brake problem

[tdsherman325]

I have a 1971 Super that suddenly developed excessively weak brakes. When I parked it last night, they were working like new, but as of this morning, the pedal goes almost all the way to the floor before it "engages" the brakes. I can barely stop with it pushed all the way to the floor. When I let off of the pedal, it returns to the top. I see no evidence of leaks, and the fluid level has not dipped at all in the three weeks I've owned it so far. I'll be pulling it apart to look at it tonight but I thought I'd ask if anyone had had a similar problem or knew what I should look for.

Thanks,
Terry

[fastinradford]

You may have a wheel cylinder that is bad, and leaking (sometimes it can be hard to find those with the drums on).

[decobugma07]

That is true. But he says that the level still the same. do you think it may show lower since you are loosing fluid?

It would never hurt to do a visual inspection to all four and while you there take some brake cleaner and clean up the area and lubricate the friction points too.

If you don't see any wheel cyclinder leaking then put all back, adjust the brake shoes, and do a gravity bleed. If you have some one to help you. Do a all around bleed. It doesn't take long if all parts behave.

[Grifter]

Since you haven't seen a fluid loss, I suspect your problem is more likely to be air leaking into the system. You can check around for loose connections or bad wheel cylinders, but both of those should show a fluid leak. I think the most likely air leak is into the master cylinder.
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Greg
1970 Beetle...a work in progress
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"At least I know that I don't know. Question is are you bozos smart enough to feel stupid? Hope so"

[ashman40]

Master cylinders can sometimes leak from the boot into the gap in the front bulkhead. You wouldn't see it, but you could empty your fluid resevoir and never see a drop.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[Viande]

Master cylinders can sometimes bypass internally from weak or collapsing cup seals. If you are not losing fluid this is a possibility. Try pumping the brakes harder than normal to see if they build pressure. Sometimes this will provide enough pressure to force the weak cup to seal. If this works a rebuild or replacement would be in order. Good luck.
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Bobby
New Items In Stock, NOS & OEM Seals,Parts and Terminals
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The bitter taste of poor quality lingers long after the joy of the cheap price fades away.

[tdsherman325]

Viande - that's kind of what I was thinking. I'll probably replace it. It's not like they're expensive.

On a side note, I took the Beetle out for lunch today (I'm at work right now. Sshh.) and lo and behold, the brakes are working again. This is most puzzling.

Side side note: The more I work on this car, the more I just want to tear the thing down to the frame and start anew. I'll have to post a thread showing some of the po's "repair" work. It would make you vomit. I'm still not entirely sure why I bought it. Maybe for the same reason that one adopts the runt of the litter; it needs me.