JonnyBoy101

SO I just drove my car for the first time today, it's been a week since I drove it last. And when I went to push the brakes the peddle was really soft, I could Push the brakes about 85% of the way with no response, and if I pushed all the way the car would only stop like if I was pushing 20%. So the point is the brakes are basically gone, I think the brake Pads are good cuz we replaced those a while back, I'm thinking maybe there's air in the line or something like that!
Please help!!
Thanks

bshusted

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like you've sprung a leak in the system somewhere. It could be that one of the hard lines has rusted though or that the hose is leaking. Put some more fluid in the resevoir and pump the brakes a couple of times and then look for a wet spot under the car and figure out where it's coming from.

JonnyBoy101

Thanks man. I don't want to put the wrong fluid in, which is the right kind?

bshusted

iTrader: (1)

DOT 3 or DOT 4 will work and can be mixed as I recall. Either should be easy to come by. DOT 5 is synthetic and cannot be mixed with the others. You may want to get more than one container since you will need to bleed the system after fixing the leak.

JonnyBoy101

I took it to a friends shop, which they race rx7's and they asked if there was any leaks I said no cuz I never say anything on the floor. They said it was the pump. So $90 for a new pump and labor. What u think?

CobraStngSVT

The pump? you mean the brake booster? That sounds like a good price...

bshusted

iTrader: (1)

Did you pump the pedal a few times? Really mash on it. Check to see if the fluid level in the reservoir has changed. If the fluid level hasn't changed, it may very well be the brake booster. I have never experienced a failed booster, but it seems that if the booster failed, the pedal should be very hard, not soft. The brake booster is the large round thing on the firewall behind the brake master cylinder.

Perhaps someone who's had a failed booster can chime in on the symptoms.

CobraStngSVT

The symptoms sound to me more like air in the lines, a good bleed should take care of it. If there was a full leak than you wouldn't have brakes at all for very long. Even it's it was a small leak you would see fluid somewhere.

I would at the very least try bleeding first (it's free) and see if your pedal stiffens back up.

I'm not sure where you are in FL but if your in South FL I'd be happy to help you out.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

sounds like the master cylinder. air in the lines is a symptom, if there was nothing wrong, there should be no air in the system

JonnyBoy101

Thanks guys! I did bleed the system and there was alot of air in it. But I still had to get the pump replaced. Only 45 for the Pump and 45 for the labor. It was a good price so I went with it. The brakes work amazing now!!
Thanks again guys