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where to start (brake issue)

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Jwalk721, Jul 25, 2008.

  1. Jul 25, 2008
    Jwalk721

    Jwalk721 New Member

    Fort Wayne, IN
    Joined:
    May 17, 2007
    Messages:
    6
    First off, it's a 73 CJ-5 and it is all stock as far as braking is concerned. The problem i have is all of a sudden the peddle pushes all the way to the floor. I don't see any leaks anywhere but when I went out there today the peddle would go all the way down and the rear "chamber" on the master cylinder was empty. I filled it up and tried again but still nothing. I was all excited after finally killing my electrical gremlins and now this. I haven't drove this thing in 3 years and was looking forward to some seat time. I'm not sure where to start and I'm tired of throwing parts at this thing. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Jul 26, 2008
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
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    Mar 30, 2007
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    3,383
    So do you lose the fluid whent the Jeep is just sitting and not being used? When you say no leaks are you talking about only the wheel cylinders? Have you checked the MC and all of the lines?
     
  3. Jul 26, 2008
    panzer

    panzer Super Mod Staff Member

    Columbus, OH
    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2003
    Messages:
    1,245
    If no leaks, I would look @ the MC. Probably needs rebuilt/replaced. If you get pressure @
    the MC, check the wheel cylinders. Sounds like w/ no leaks the seals aren't letting you build
    pressure in the system.
     
  4. Jul 26, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    The brake fluid is going somewhere - the most likely suspects are leaky wheel cylinders. You need to pull the drums and take a look. Just because you don't see fluid on the ground doesn't mean the cylinders aren't leaking. Brake fluid can also leak out the pedal end of the cylinder and either onto the driver's side floor or, if power brakes, into the brake booster. If leaking into the booster, you won't see it; it will either puddle in the booster of be pulled into the engine by the vacuum and combusted.
     
  5. Jul 26, 2008
    Jwalk721

    Jwalk721 New Member

    Fort Wayne, IN
    Joined:
    May 17, 2007
    Messages:
    6
    Thanks for all of the help. I don't see any puddles anywhere so I was guessing the master cylinder. I replaced the rear brakes totally about a year ago so if it's the wheel cylinders it should be the front. Another weird thing is the brakes still actually stop the jeep. I found this out by accident when I acidentally started it in gear and almost went thru my garage.:oops: Could I just have air in the lines and maybe didn't do a good job bleeding the brakes when I changed them?
     
  6. Jul 26, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    Did you use new wheel cylinders when you replaced the rear brakes? Did you rebuild them? I'd still check them out - won't cost anything.

    There's not that much volume of fluid in the whole system - it's unlikely that you could have left enough air space in the system to drain the master cylinder.

    If I may repeat, the fluid has to go somewhere. If the master cylinder has a problem, there's nowhere for the fluid to go except out - either back and forth between the reservoirs or out the pedal end and onto the floor under your feet. If you have power brakes, fluid can disappear into the engine, but not with manual brakes.

    You have one half of the reservoir that goes down - that goes to either the front or the rear brakes. Trace out the tubing and start with that axle.
     
  7. Jul 27, 2008
    Jwalk721

    Jwalk721 New Member

    Fort Wayne, IN
    Joined:
    May 17, 2007
    Messages:
    6
    thanks timgr. Yes when I did the rears I put all new parts in. I found out drums are not alot of fun if you're not used to them. I don't have power brakes The resevoir that was draining went to the rears. I checked it today and it was still full, but I'm still thinking of changing out the master cylinder. I might as well, by the time I'm done I will have changed everything else out in this jeep. Maybe, just maybe someday I'll even be able to drive it!
     
  8. Jul 28, 2008
    JackJ.

    JackJ. Truck spends jeep money

    Pt. Mugu...
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    May 31, 2007
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    175

    I have changed my MC twice in the last 3 or 4 months, my last one had a mechanical failure I have also changed whole lines more than one, it is now not the top of my list of things that do not work right, I think it is number 2 or 3 now. R) I am now having binding problems, but do not get down on breaks, the prblem can only go so far. R)
     
  9. Jul 28, 2008
    Brieoff

    Brieoff Member

    TX
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2006
    Messages:
    310
    It sounds like you leaked enough fluid to empty the MC reservoir, once you did that you sucked fresh air into the lines via the MC; so refilling it won't help.

    As everyone before mentioned.
    1) Pull your drums, check for fluid coming out of the wheel cylinders and bleeders.
    2) Check your line connections for the same. And of course to make sure one didn't break - old rubber sections.
    3) If 1&2 are good, replace your MC with a new one.
    Then you get to go through the joys of bench bleeding your new MC and then bleeding the whole Jeep.
    Might as well get some "Speed Bleeders" if you have to bleed the whole Jeep.

    Sorry that happened to you at all, especially when you thought you were all set.
    Good Luck
     
  10. Jul 29, 2008
    Jwalk721

    Jwalk721 New Member

    Fort Wayne, IN
    Joined:
    May 17, 2007
    Messages:
    6
    thanks for the replies. Master cylinders are only like 20 bucks so I' m going to change that out my next day off. I'll open up the drums and see whats going on in there also. My jeep just ate another starter so the electrical gremlin I thought I killed is back and I have to figure that out too. There is absolutely nothing left to change in the electrical system besides the igition switch so I'll have to get one of those ordered. Aren't jeeps fun?
     
  11. Jul 29, 2008
    Brieoff

    Brieoff Member

    TX
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2006
    Messages:
    310
    Yes they are!
     
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