Brake not working all the sudden!

RyanWest · 08-25-2012, 02:18 AM

So guys, got in the car today, go to pull out of the garage, and literally no brakes. I pump the brakes a bit and it comes back. Pop the hood and check the fluids, all good.

Now my car has 40k on it and i haven't touched my rotors or pads, been putting it off....

Buddy thinks the OEM pads are worn to far to make contact with the rotor, could this be true?

Im pulling everything off here in a few days to see whats up, looks like ill be driving the R6 for now.

UPDATE! after doing some research my car was displaying the symptoms in the link, so I will be calling nissan tomorrow http://forums.nicoclub.com/master-cy...l-t557384.html

Mike · 08-25-2012, 09:52 AM

no, that can't be true. I have worn the pads to the backing plates and they scored the rotors up.

wstar · 08-25-2012, 10:37 AM

Gotta be a pressure problem. You sure the brake fluid level isn't dropping while this is going on?

nightwish · 08-25-2012, 11:23 AM

Bleeding the brakes lines should be the first thing to do.

RyanWest · 08-25-2012, 11:53 AM

Im gonna try to bleed the lines. Level is perfect. I did top it off about 10 days ago, it was like hair low.

Maybe some air bubbles got into the lines?

nightwish · 08-25-2012, 09:07 PM

By bleeding you can see if there is a build up or something blocking the flow.. give us more details like does the car sits for long period of time.. etc..

RyanWest · 08-26-2012, 12:28 PM

no its a DD. im bleeding them now, ill update soon.

6spd · 08-26-2012, 12:38 PM

sounds like a bypassing master cylinder. pretty low mileage for a problem like that.

RyanWest · 08-26-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd

sounds like a bypassing master cylinder. pretty low mileage for a problem like that.

I bleed the brakes and nothing, still super soft mushy all the way to the floor.

brake pads still look ok btw

can you explain more about the bypass master cylinder?

RyanWest · 08-26-2012, 02:31 PM

Master Cylinder and Brake Systems - AutoZone Car Care - YouTube

so after watching this video i think i should assume my pads are to worn down :/

6spd · 08-26-2012, 07:39 PM

Worn down brake pads won't cause the symptom you describe. What would happen would just be a lower brake pedal than normal, not a lack of any brake power at all.

A bypassing master cylinder means that the seals inside the master cylinder are worn/broken allowing fluid to bypass the plunger, causing the fluid movement to become weak, therefore losing braking power. Pumping the brake causes the pressure to build back up momentarily. You can bleed the brakes and have what seems like fine fluid travel, but under driving conditions, that isn't enough.

The only other practical cause for no pressure would be brake leak somewhere, such as in a line somewhere.

Do this: turn the car on, pump the pedal until pressure returns and hold the pedal down. If it starts to fall, the master is likely bypassing.

RyanWest · 08-27-2012, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd

Worn down brake pads won't cause the symptom you describe. What would happen would just be a lower brake pedal than normal, not a lack of any brake power at all.

A bypassing master cylinder means that the seals inside the master cylinder are worn/broken allowing fluid to bypass the plunger, causing the fluid movement to become weak, therefore losing braking power. Pumping the brake causes the pressure to build back up momentarily. You can bleed the brakes and have what seems like fine fluid travel, but under driving conditions, that isn't enough.

The only other practical cause for no pressure would be brake leak somewhere, such as in a line somewhere.

Do this: turn the car on, pump the pedal until pressure returns and hold the pedal down. If it starts to fall, the master is likely bypassing.

Well yup, what you said is true, seem like the bypass cylinder isnt holding pressure. I pumped the brakes 7-8 times hold tightly then after about a sec the peddle starts to fall slowly.

Damn this sucks, now i gotta fork out cash for a bypass cylinder. I can put it on myself, piece of cake but does anyone know were i can get some for a decent price?

RyanWest · 08-27-2012, 01:19 AM

shitty part! basic 36k mile warranty! just hit 40k. FML

RyanWest · 08-27-2012, 01:25 AM

guys i just found this post. http://forums.nicoclub.com/master-cy...l-t557384.html
I know it says its for the Altima but im almost positive they use the same master cylinder?

My car was displaying these systems in the post (my brake light started to come on at high higher RPM speeds however) and looks like a Recall has been issued.

I will be calling Nissan tomorrow.

wstar · 08-27-2012, 09:07 AM

They're talking about a slow leak in the MC though, with the visible symptom being the brake fluid level gets low and trips the dummy light on the dash, eventually (because family-car drivers never think to check their brake fluid level...), and then the whole thing about the pads is just explaining to them another reason the brake fluid level can be low (it drops as the pads wear because the pistons in the calipers are pushed out more). Doesn't sound like the same problem you're having.

08-25-2012, 02:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 33	Brake not working all the sudden! So guys, got in the car today, go to pull out of the garage, and literally no brakes. I pump the brakes a bit and it comes back. Pop the hood and check the fluids, all good. Now my car has 40k on it and i haven't touched my rotors or pads, been putting it off.... Buddy thinks the OEM pads are worn to far to make contact with the rotor, could this be true? Im pulling everything off here in a few days to see whats up, looks like ill be driving the R6 for now. UPDATE! after doing some research my car was displaying the symptoms in the link, so I will be calling nissan tomorrow http://forums.nicoclub.com/master-cy...l-t557384.html Last edited by RyanWest; 08-27-2012 at 01:37 AM.

08-25-2012, 09:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mike The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Loganville, GA Posts: 5,944 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 2186	no, that can't be true. I have worn the pads to the backing plates and they scored the rotors up. __________________ NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968

08-25-2012, 10:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	Gotta be a pressure problem. You sure the brake fluid level isn't dropping while this is going on? __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

08-26-2012, 12:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 25	sounds like a bypassing master cylinder. pretty low mileage for a problem like that. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

08-26-2012, 02:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 33	Master Cylinder and Brake Systems - AutoZone Car Care - YouTube so after watching this video i think i should assume my pads are to worn down :/ Last edited by RyanWest; 08-26-2012 at 02:34 PM.

08-25-2012, 11:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
nightwish Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: na Posts: 111 Drives: na Rep Power: 13	Bleeding the brakes lines should be the first thing to do.

08-25-2012, 11:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 33	Im gonna try to bleed the lines. Level is perfect. I did top it off about 10 days ago, it was like hair low. Maybe some air bubbles got into the lines?

08-25-2012, 09:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
nightwish Base Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: na Posts: 111 Drives: na Rep Power: 13	By bleeding you can see if there is a build up or something blocking the flow.. give us more details like does the car sits for long period of time.. etc..

08-26-2012, 12:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 33	no its a DD. im bleeding them now, ill update soon.

08-26-2012, 07:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,001 Drives: Q50RS Rep Power: 25	Worn down brake pads won't cause the symptom you describe. What would happen would just be a lower brake pedal than normal, not a lack of any brake power at all. A bypassing master cylinder means that the seals inside the master cylinder are worn/broken allowing fluid to bypass the plunger, causing the fluid movement to become weak, therefore losing braking power. Pumping the brake causes the pressure to build back up momentarily. You can bleed the brakes and have what seems like fine fluid travel, but under driving conditions, that isn't enough. The only other practical cause for no pressure would be brake leak somewhere, such as in a line somewhere. Do this: turn the car on, pump the pedal until pressure returns and hold the pedal down. If it starts to fall, the master is likely bypassing. __________________ -Jay- jonathanjamesphotographer.com

08-27-2012, 01:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 33	shitty part! basic 36k mile warranty! just hit 40k. FML

08-27-2012, 01:25 AM	#14 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 33	guys i just found this post. http://forums.nicoclub.com/master-cy...l-t557384.html I know it says its for the Altima but im almost positive they use the same master cylinder? My car was displaying these systems in the post (my brake light started to come on at high higher RPM speeds however) and looks like a Recall has been issued. I will be calling Nissan tomorrow.

08-27-2012, 09:07 AM	#15 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	They're talking about a slow leak in the MC though, with the visible symptom being the brake fluid level gets low and trips the dummy light on the dash, eventually (because family-car drivers never think to check their brake fluid level...), and then the whole thing about the pads is just explaining to them another reason the brake fluid level can be low (it drops as the pads wear because the pistons in the calipers are pushed out more). Doesn't sound like the same problem you're having. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

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