brake questions

[Cadams]

My brakes went out the other day, the light went on and they got really squishy and I went to have them checked. What they said was that the fluid was poluted by a petro base something or other and MIDAS told me it would be 1700 bucks to re-do my brakes.. well I was wondering two things A. I have a 1987 parts bronco with good brakes (will there be any real problems swapping over the parts? and B. Do i even need to do that? Cant i just flush the brake fuid out and put in new fluid? Any help as always will be greatly appreciated !

Chris

 

[50joe]

I would get a second opinion. Sounds rediculous, and I work on cars for a living.

 

[Krafty]

if it is in fact true about the petroleum based chemical that made it into your brakes, then every single rubber seal in your braking system that gets hit with it will, or has, swelled up and gotten soft.

the 87 calipers will work, get new rear brake cylinders only $10, and the seals in the master cylinder will be toast and may be swappable.

 

[Krafty]

I must also add that the compound that makes up seals in the braking system are not resistant to fuel or oil, unlike valve seals and seals in the fuel delivery system. they are instead designed to handle the high pressure of the brake fluid.

 

[50joe]

Very true, but 1700 bucks sound a lil steep. Also wondering.....How did they come to this conclusion anyway? Did you add something by mistake? or did this come from nowhere?

 

[Krafty]

its a pain in the butt to rebuild calipers, and they would charge you for the rebuild instead of buying new ones, (even if they bought new ones) cause they make money on labour.

if the mechanics are full of crap ,then it may just be a leaky seal on the piston thats inside the master cylinder, thats what my bronco and thunderbird were like before I could push the pedal to the floor before I got brakes( it wasn't until the complete failure that i replaced them). it doesn't take oil or gas for that to happen, some times stuff just breaks.

if you or they did not pour oil or gas into the master cylinder then you will only need that one part replaced. if your brakes had oil or gas in it, then you would see brake fluid residue on the inside of your calipers where the piston touches the brake pad and your brake fluid level would be dropping.

but at least take it to another shop for another look ( make sure that they are not close friends with the first mechanic you saw)

 

[50joe]

but at least take it to another shop for another look ( make sure that they are not close friends with the first mechanic you saw)

I hate to say this being in the business, but that is excellent advise. Word of mouth is our best advertiser, so I would ask around to friends/neighbors ect. Most people have been ripped off at some point or another, and some lucky ones find a decent shop that is honest. Remember, most places pay based on what they sell. Thats a good incentive to sell you things you don't really need. Its sad to say, but after almost 2 decades in this industry, I've learned this happens more often than not. Especially in the current economy.

 

[Cadams]

I dont remember anyone adding anything to the brakes. I got the bronco 4 months ago and the brakes were fine and then they just "gave" out I am not putting it past anyone i know to have done it on accident ;/ I did have a few buddies help me put in a new tranny, would tranny fluid in there ***** it up like that ?

chris

 

[AdamDude04]

$1700 is way too steep for everything.

You could do a total rebuild of yoru entire system and still buy a new set of wheels! I would deff go to another shop and get their opinions on things.. I went to Brakes Plus up the street from me, and AWESOME service, and they don't sell me anything I don't need. Though that's not to say the brakes plus 10 miles down the road has honest workers there..

I paid $150 for a full brake front end service at my local shop..