VS brakes just failed!

[and3rs]

Hey guys, the brakes on my vs wagon have been pretty bad for a while now they wouldn't engage until my foot was almost on the floor, since today however the pedal has been hissing constantly when the brakes are inactive and there was lots of resistance like compressing air up until the brakes come on, and then it happened the brakes now completly lack stopping power, there is still resistance on the pedal just very little actually brake function.

Reservoir is full, although fluid is probably in need of a change, maybe they just need bleeding? Has anyone got experience with this?

[dirt drifter]

sounds like your booster is cactus. i think holden still sell them. also check that the vacuum hose from booster to motor is not cracked/perished

if they wouldnt start working until the pedal was almost on the floor it would be a good idea to bleed them at the same time u put in the new booster

[EDGE3]

Definately brake booster

[and3rs]

Damn I was hoping it wouldn't be anything that needs replacing. I'll still have a look at vacuum lines tomorrow, but I think you may be right about the booster. Any idea on what they might sell for from holden? Is it much work to replace?

[hako]

You should get your brakes inspected NOW. The problem could be anything from leaking calipers to the booster....but get it fixed...soon please.

[VR38]

If the pedal is sinking then I suspect you have more serious problems than the booster, don't drive it.

[and3rs]

Man I can't drive the car right now to get looked at I think the constant hissing when the brakes aren't applied is the biggest hint of what the problem might be... But yeah definitely going to park up the wagon until I can rosolve this problem, will keep ya's posted.

[EDGE3]

Is it going through alot of brake fluid,or is it low on fluid,if so then it could be the o rings in the master cylinder aswell

[and3rs]

after sussing it out again today, I'm pretty certain it is the booster. The hissing sound, sounds like the vacuum is leaking through the seals in the booster and the vacuum pressure loss is causing a bad idle too. Will try and get a new booster asap. Anyone know the procedure for bleeding brakes on a vs also?

[JAAV]

If the booster is leaking, You still should have brakes but just very hard to push henc no boosting. Your master cly maybe bypassing internaly and with the pedal getting closer to the floor and a booster that normaly dosnt operate in that part of the shaft seal that is over 15 years old it is now leaking....Even if it has air in the system you still have a major fault air just dosnt get in to a system unless its failed....
Before replacing the booster check other things as well......

[and3rs]

I got the main problem fixed the booster was rooted, that's why there was constant hissing and lots of resistance. That ended up costing around $460 fitted and with a brake fluid change. Turned out to be only half the story though the reason why the pedal goes all the way to the floor is because the master cylinder is in poor condition and only engaging the front brakes properly. There's kind of a spongy feel to the pedal atm and they told me that's gonna cost about 400 fitted, sucks a bit but at least it's drivable now. It's actually not even my car it's my old man's I'm just driving it while trying to get my own car back to rwc so yeah annoying having to spend lots of money on it when I have another money pit on my hands lol. Good point JAAV about the booster shaft operating in a part that is unusual for it, definately will have to see about getting the master cylinder fixed so the new booster doesn't cop any extra wear.

[VrWagz1]

$400 for new master. Get real. Take it off and go to the nearest brake/clutch shop and have them rebuild it for 1/4 that price. Then just re-fit and bleed it up.

[BxTom]

A quick search opn ebay shows new boosters to suit a vs are $229 nplus freight.

Tom.

Brand New Holden VS Commodore Brake Master Cylinder (eBay item 250781441219 end time 31-Mar-11 10:10:54 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats