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1984 Buick Riviera Repair Question


Topics covered: Brakes, Mechanic, Brake fluid.
Mileage: 153,000 miles.

Asked on January 30, 2013

Buick Riviera Brakes Problem

Had them replace Week ago had oil/lube job.Mechanic said rt. ft. axel was broken. Had replaced 2 days later (a remanufactur). 3 days later took it back to replace backup light. On my way back home realized had no breaks. Went mushy to nothing. AAA checked brake resivoir which was full before hauling car back to garage.
I feel they should have been aware of failed brakes before letting me drive it home. I had brakes before when I arrived at garage for bulb replacement. they tell me nothing they did had anything to do with the brakes. Now they are telling me it ithat the master cylinder has an internal leak and they have ordered a new one that will arrive tommorow or next, Am I being ripped off? How could there be a leak if brake fluid resivoir was full. And if internal leak , where did the oil leak to or out to?
Avatar Asked by (pending member)

Answer

Replied on January 30, 2013

Not being riped off internal seal leak VERY common and it does not lose fluid when this happens

Tiny Answered by Docfixit (expert)
18,416 answers provided
Replied on January 30, 2013

An internal leak is very common. It means the seals on the pistons are leaking past the fluid and not pushing that fluid down to the brakes. That failure can occur any time, especially on older cars.

That failure has nothing to do with replacing any light bulbs. YOU were not aware of any braking problem on the way to the shop, so why do you expect the mechanic to be aware of a problem that hadn't developed yet. The failure could have occurred a month ago, an hour ago, or a year from now.

Tiny Answered by caradiodoc (expert)
17,256 answers provided