Hi guys, just wondering if i could get an answer to some brake related questions? I have had a search but can not find what I'm after!

The brakes on my clubman up until now have been quite good. The other day I was driving and went to apply the brakes and the pedal went to the floor, I pumped the pedal and all was fine. It seemed to get worse. I haven't driven it since and now it does not feel like there is any pressure even when i pump the pedal. it does not appear to be leaking anywhere.

My question is does this sound like a master cylinder problem? is there anyway of testing it? should i try bleeding it before replacing any parts?

the car has disks at the front, drums rear, is it possible that the rear wheel cylinders are leaking?

any help would be greatly appreciated

hey aust

by the sounds of it you have a leak. if the pedal was fine and now goes to the floor and wont pump up theres a leak. check your wheel cylinders to make sure they havent given way same with the front calipers. then work your way back to the master cylinder. if it all seems to be fine check the lines for any signs of leaks.

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

Yep , what Tiny said but also look for fluid running down from the top of the brake pedal where the rod goes up into the master cylinder . Sometimes they fail there and the fluid goes in the cabin and gets lost in the carpet , "been raining and the carpets a bit wet , oh well " .

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The master cyl may well be stuffed without showing any external signs of leaking

The primary cup inside the cyl can be rooted & therefor not pushing fluid & simply bypassing to the 2ndry cup, yet the 2ndry cup can still hold the fluid in the cyl

pretty common

Definately check for leaks tho,,, that is the very first thing to do, just a quick eye-ball around all the brake pipe fittings & calipers & hoses & rear backing plates & hoses etc,,, can even be a rusty pipe along the car some where,,,

But if there is no signs of moisture in all those places, then peel back the carpet from under & around the pedal box & have a feel around, then smell your hand/fingers... the smell of brake fluid is quite distinctive

If it`s wet there & stinks of fluid, then it`s the master cyl

If it`s not wet & if it doesn`t stink there, then it can still be the master cyl at fault & simply internally by-passing

sorry for the long winded msg,,, brakes i take very seriously

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

thanks everyone for the reply. I will investigate the problem further on the weekend and report back on how i go!!!