Random brake failure?
#1
Random brake failure?
I bought a 1991 Volvo 240 yesterday that just had brakes done recently on it and a whole bunch of other recent updates/etc. I pull into the gas station about 10 miles away to grab a few things and as I put it in reverse to pull out, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and I had no brakes at all and had to pull the emergency brake to stop it. I called the guy I just bought it from and had him come down to check out the situation. The brakes randomly started working again and he was baffled and basically didnt believe me and said he had never had a problem like that ever. About 45 minutes later im going downhill, no signs of brake issues at all, and they fail again. At this point I called a tow truck because it clearly was not safe to drive another 100 miles back to Massachusetts. I think it could be the master cylinder? Could there be air in the brake lines? The brakes are working again for the second, but I dont dare drive it anywhere in case they fail again. Any suggestions or help appreciated im super enthusiastic about my new 240 and am trying to get this fixed ASAP
(also my brake fluid level is perfectly fine)
(also my brake fluid level is perfectly fine)
Last edited by xrodentx; 07-23-2019 at 03:17 PM.
#2
#4
#6
Thats odd, if your pedal is going to the floor you have to have a leak some where. Did you look over the brake job? Everything installed correctly at all four corners? You need to either get a new master cylinder or bleed the brakes. Bleed first and see how they are. What exactly did the brake job entail? New rotors and pads? New calipers? If new calipers def. bleed the system again. Did you do front and back?
#7
I bought a 1991 Volvo 240 yesterday that just had brakes done recently on it and a whole bunch of other recent updates/etc. I pull into the gas station about 10 miles away to grab a few things and as I put it in reverse to pull out, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and I had no brakes at all and had to pull the emergency brake to stop it. I called the guy I just bought it from and had him come down to check out the situation. The brakes randomly started working again and he was baffled and basically didnt believe me and said he had never had a problem like that ever. About 45 minutes later im going downhill, no signs of brake issues at all, and they fail again. At this point I called a tow truck because it clearly was not safe to drive another 100 miles back to Massachusetts. I think it could be the master cylinder? Could there be air in the brake lines? The brakes are working again for the second, but I dont dare drive it anywhere in case they fail again. Any suggestions or help appreciated im super enthusiastic about my new 240 and am trying to get this fixed ASAP
(also my brake fluid level is perfectly fine)
(also my brake fluid level is perfectly fine)
#8
#9
2. Yes, more than likely
3. Yes, 1/2 of both fronts and 1 rear caliper on 1/2 of the dual master cylinder. However if 1 side fails the pedal will go almost all the way to the floor before any brakes will work. The car will still stop but it really freaks people out!
#10
1. No, not a chance
2. Yes, more than likely
3. Yes, 1/2 of both fronts and 1 rear caliper on 1/2 of the dual master cylinder. However if 1 side fails the pedal will go almost all the way to the floor before any brakes will work. The car will still stop but it really freaks people out!
2. Yes, more than likely
3. Yes, 1/2 of both fronts and 1 rear caliper on 1/2 of the dual master cylinder. However if 1 side fails the pedal will go almost all the way to the floor before any brakes will work. The car will still stop but it really freaks people out!
But if there is any doubt, replacing the master is a sanguine move.
#11
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#15
a 240 without ABS has two brake lines going to each front wheel caliber, one to each of two sets of cylinders. a 240 WITH ABS has only a single brake line to each front caliber, and has this big block o ABS stuff under the hood forward of the left suspension tower.
#16
Organ donor
Any request? Master cylinder, rotors labor, + nominal fee, mark up %$, and shipping still less hassel then all that.
$150, refurbished repaired replaced 25 tooth gear, trip button, and service reset button switch spring. Test and verified operational in my 93 240 SW . It does need a service / warning 1 bulb , and Ill find the 1 missing screw from back 1 of 8 mounting screws when i vacuum today 🤣 pic on request or maybe video ? Oooh! Awwwe!😎
$150, refurbished repaired replaced 25 tooth gear, trip button, and service reset button switch spring. Test and verified operational in my 93 240 SW . It does need a service / warning 1 bulb , and Ill find the 1 missing screw from back 1 of 8 mounting screws when i vacuum today 🤣 pic on request or maybe video ? Oooh! Awwwe!😎
Last edited by 93240SW; 07-24-2020 at 07:15 AM.
#17
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