Sudden brake failure while driving!

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 7 Aug 2003, 12:20 pm

#71441

I was driving back from the newsagents to the office when suddenly my brakes failed!!!

I was only 300m from arriving and there was no traffic when it happened so I was very lucky.

The brake pedal goes all the way down with no resistance (apart from the return spring).
When the pedal is all the way down, if I press very hard I get slight braking.
The handbrake now comes out all the way, it was previously set to work at 6 clicks.
The brake fluid reservoir under the driver's seat is still full.

Does anyone know what's happened?

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

mnsKmobi Wolfsburg Wizard

589 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 7 Aug 2003, 3:03 pm

#71498

Does pumping the pedal make any difference?

Given it is both the foot brake and the hand brake it would imply that something is shagged in one or both of your rear drums and it is taking up all the effort you're putting into the pedal or cable.

Try jacking up each rear wheel and seeing if you can turn it when the foot or hand brake is being applied.

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 7 Aug 2003, 3:21 pm

#71506

It turns out that pumping the pedal does make a difference.

I've dropped it into my local VW mechaninc (just around the corner from the office) because I want it to be safe before I drive home!

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 8 Aug 2003, 8:19 am

#71809

lol@Ned

1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper