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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on January 14, 2008, at 10:02:59
I think this is a very rare phenomenon, but it happened to my dad's car last night.
My dad and mom picked me up from work last night and we went to our aunt's place to eat dinner. Everything was fine with the car, no warning lights, no problems braking, etc.
After dinner and conversation, we decided to go home. When the car was turned on the brake light on the dash came on. My dad was perplexed. He tried pulling and releasing the handbrake, but nothing worked to turn off the light.
We we drive off. So far everything is fine still, the brakes work all right or we don't notice anything.
Then suddenly the brakes stopped working. My dad said there was no resistance in the brake pedal.
My dad was like, "hmmm...the brakes stopped working." He didn't make a big deal out of it, he also said it softly so I thought he must have said something else because he kept on driving!
So he's still driving (pressing the accelerator)! Then my mom said, shouldn't we drive slowly?
Then I said, "What? the brakes stopped working? You mean we can't stop? Why are you still driving? Are you crazy?"
So my dad pulls into a side street leading to a building and he's still driving, finding a place to stop. He was about to drive into this section that sloped down and we immediately stopped him. Man o man, I'm not sure what my dad was thinking! We had no brakes and he wanted to drive down a slope??! What the heck??
If it'd been me driving I would have not pressed on the accelerator once I realized the brakes stopped working but my dad still drove past two intersections before pulling into the side street!
Anyways, we finally stop. We called my aunt and she came to drive us home and get tow truck.
Thank goodness we didn't crash! This was majorly scary. Lesson, never ever ignore the brake warning light!
I wonder what went wrong? I googled this and there's not much on total sudden brake failure. Usually there are warning signs like the brakes don't work as well or whatever. My dad said there was suddenly no resistance on the brake pedal. Thank goodness it was late at night and not many cars where around!
Posted by Deneb on January 14, 2008, at 10:11:41
In reply to Total sudden brake failure, posted by Deneb on January 14, 2008, at 10:02:59
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, once we stopped the car for a good few minutes and started the car again, there was still no resistance on the pedal.
We got a price on how much it will take to fix the car and it's $1200! Plus, we won't get the car back until Friday.
Any ideas on what went wrong? My dad didn't ask what was wrong.
Posted by Jamal Spelling on January 14, 2008, at 11:03:03
In reply to Re: Total sudden brake failure, posted by Deneb on January 14, 2008, at 10:11:41
> Any ideas on what went wrong?
In the movies, when the brakes fail, it's usually because somebody ill-intentioned tampered with the brake fluid lines.
Posted by MidnightBlue on January 14, 2008, at 11:16:58
In reply to Total sudden brake failure, posted by Deneb on January 14, 2008, at 10:02:59
master cylinder?
Posted by muffled on January 14, 2008, at 11:24:13
In reply to Re: Total sudden brake failure, posted by Deneb on January 14, 2008, at 10:11:41
More likely a slow leak that got worse over time. When yu were eating it was leaking. When you got back, no fluid, no brakes. Could also be master cylinder which would explain the cost. Though even at that, I would expect new pads/linings etc for that much money....
Its quite possible you brake pedal HAS been softening more over time, and thats why your Dad was not so worried, cuz he'd kinda been getting used to it.
FYI, if your brakes fail, your parking brake still works, it is purely mechanical and activates the rear drums usu.
If you can hold the brake release lever 'out/disengage the ratchet'(depending on type of car/truck)then you can apply the emergency brake more smoothly. They will not stop you as quickly. Just don't STOMP on the parking brake cuz it will lock up, and lock your brakes too. Slow application can work too, even w/o disengaging the ratchet.
Sometimes pumping hydraulic brakes will bring them back enuf to stop as well.
M
Posted by Jamal Spelling on January 14, 2008, at 11:52:20
In reply to Brakes, posted by muffled on January 14, 2008, at 11:24:13
One of the benefits of stick shift is that the car can be slowed down by shifting to a lower gear, and eventually brought to a standstill, even on a downhill.
Posted by Dinah on January 14, 2008, at 11:54:18
In reply to Total sudden brake failure, posted by Deneb on January 14, 2008, at 10:02:59
I'm glad you and your family are safe.
Ouch, as to the repair costs though. :(
Posted by Kath on January 14, 2008, at 17:31:42
In reply to Re: Total sudden brake failure, posted by Deneb on January 14, 2008, at 10:11:41
So glad you're all safe! WHAT an experience!
And what a hefty bill!
I'm glad you're all okay Deneb.
luv, Kath
Posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2008, at 13:09:59
In reply to Re: Total sudden brake failure » Deneb, posted by Kath on January 14, 2008, at 17:31:42
Deneb me know what a scarey experience!!!!Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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