Out of nowhere...NO BRAKES!

wunderbarVW · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:37 pm Post subject: Out of nowhere...NO BRAKES!

So yet again my wonderful 1981 air cooled vanagon throws another challenge at me.

here is my situation. trust me its a quick story...i got in my vanagon after sitting for a week, started it up fine, put it in gear, and when i pressed the brakes, the peddal went strait to the floor! the van didnt stop.

i checked my brake fluid resevoir and it was at level.

any hints as to what could be the problem? i dont see any leaks anywhere and all brake lines were replaced recently.
_________________
81 Vanagon

"VW's don't leak oil...they leave their mark."

"VW: 0-60...EVENTUALLY!"

"If Chuck Norris couldn't fly, he would drive a VW"

"The only good thing about Hitler= the VW"

IdahoDoug · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:52 pm Post subject:

My first reaction is a master cylinder internal failure if you're getting zero braking at any wheel. If you're getting brakes at two wheels and not at two then it would be something else.

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

danfromsyr · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:53 pm Post subject:

sounds like the symptoms for a faluty master cylinder.

good news is you don't have to crawl under the chassis.
bad news is you'll have to bleed all of the brakes
it's likely long overdue for a brake fluid flush anyways.
_________________

wunderbarVW · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:09 am Post subject:

here is a quick video i made so you pros can have a little more insight as to what im dealing with. just copy and paste the link into your browser if you cant click it.
thanks.

http://youtu.be/KxzKHNkqYTY
_________________
81 Vanagon

"VW's don't leak oil...they leave their mark."

"VW: 0-60...EVENTUALLY!"

"If Chuck Norris couldn't fly, he would drive a VW"

"The only good thing about Hitler= the VW"

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50338

The noise if from the booster. Sounds like something has fallen apart inside it.

Saguache · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:57 am Post subject:

Master cylinder for sure, potentially an issue with the boost (check for fluid in the boost).
_________________
Matt Thyer
http://zenoswagen.wordpress.com/

randywebb · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:15 pm Post subject:

while you're at it, replace all the rubber hoses with new rubber (unless you've done that in the last 7-10 years)

repl. brake fluid every 2 years

check the floor - brake fluid has likely destroyed the paint
_________________
1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1