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Scary thing happenned today... feel very lucky!
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Author:  Lillee [ Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Scary thing happenned today... feel very lucky!
Long story short: brakes have been solid for 2+ years, suddenly last week pedal engaged lower than usual but I honestly thought it was high time I adjusted my back brakes which I did. Problem solved for about a day or so.

Today I drove to GR's place and it felt spongy, needed a pump or two. I thought this could be a problem, check it when I get home. 90km/h freeway later, down silverwater road, and even later down a backstreet near my house I was doing about 55km/h and apon reaching a T junction (no road left ahead of me) the brake pedal went to the floor!!

I thought HOLY SHEET! double clutched into 1st, handbrake, a few pumps and she stopped! OMG brown coloured underwear!

Crawled home in first with the handbrake.

Checked the brake cylinder and it was only 3/4 full :oops:

I am SO installing one of those tin tank clear extensions... :roll:
Author:  Lillee [ Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Worste part was I had a car full of my workmates just yesterday :shock: That's a scary thought...
Author:  drmini in aust [ Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
You have S front discs on it.
As the pads wear and pistons move out, the MC fluid level drops.
If it drops too far it will open the bypass port in the cylinder and air will get into the system.
This is why the Cooper S Mk1 had a taller tin tank than lesser Minis... :wink:

Those clear extensions work well, not only do they keep the tank full but you can see when it needs some more added.
Author:  NAV [ Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad to hear nothing went terribly pear shaped save the brakes.
Have you ruptured a hose somewhere? My landcruiser had a good pedal and was a bit spongey then one day when my wife was pushing hard on the pedal as we were winching someone the pedal went to the floor and this was the result.

Image
Author:  Morris 1100 [ Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Scary thing happenned today... feel very lucky!
Lillee wrote:
I am SO installing one of those tin tank clear extensions... :roll:
Glad that you managed to stop the car without too much pain, it could have turned very nasty. I had master cylinder problems with my wifes car recently and it was a shock when the pedal went to the floor.

Most people do not know how to stop a car with a handbrake, glad that you pulled it off, it is something that everyone should know how to do. It should be taught and practiced. It is not a matter of reefing on the lever and spining the car, it is just gentle pressure while holding the button and apply more or less pressure as needed!

Be carefull of the extension on the tin tank. The solder on the neck of the tank can let go after all these years. I knocked one off my car with my elbow while adjusting the carby. :lol: But they are a good idea in general.

Does your car have the big tin tank or the little one? Why did it run out of brakes while still 3/4 full? Is there any other problem?
Author:  simon k [ Sat Jan 10, 2009 10:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
erk... well done

lucky you had time to take evasive action!
Author:  Tombo [ Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Shabby brakes
I have had similar brake failures happen, like you, no crashing involved luckily. :shock:

2 times in the same car on the same 500m road my pedal hit the floor, after each time it took some pumps to work. I never worked out what caused this.

A small master tin should go below half without getting air. When bleeding I get my assistant to pump 15 times per wheel between topups and I have never run low. Thats with drums.

Check under your rear wheel cylinder boots for fluid or rust, air can get into your brakes in lots of places, a thorough inspection is a good idea.

In Japan they call the handbrake the 'e' (emergency) brake. :wink:
Author:  drmini in aust [ Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:44 am ]
Post subject: 
I got air in Barney's rear brake circuit recently (tandem MC) when it got a leak at the copper washer on a front caliper. Fixed that and bled the fronts.
When I bled the rears, I kept getting air bubbles at the LR bleed nipple (when you let pedal up a temporary partial vacuum is created).
Both these S rear wheel cylinders (made by Brake Equipment) are only about 3 or 4 years old, but I had to fit new seals to this one to stop it sucking air in. :x Note that there were no fluid leaks... yet.
Author:  gafmo [ Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:38 am ]
Post subject: 
Well done Chong...You didn't Panic which is the way to do it :wink:
Author:  1018cc [ Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:44 am ]
Post subject: 
Geez chong, I'm glad that it ended very safely for you. It could've been much worse. :shock:
Author:  DarkenMini [ Sun Jan 11, 2009 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Good to hear Everything is ok. if you were driving my car and went to pull the hand brake No workys i pulled it From the floor one morning getting ready for a breakfast shift. Looks like two nuts have fallen off or someting.
Author:  Lillee [ Sun Jan 11, 2009 2:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have the short tin tank, the solder on the top part has come off before and I have soldered it back on. I just went down to try to see if the extension would fit and I just broke it again :evil: :roll:

I think it's time to treat Lillee to a new brake master cylinder...
Author:  Lillee [ Sun Jan 11, 2009 2:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
First time she's "broken down" for 2 years :shock:
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