1996 Chevy Lumina Brakes and pedal pressure

AQUACIDE12

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
14,600 MILES

When I start the van the brake pedal goes right to the floor with no pressure. I still have brakes when it bottoms out. I know this from moving the car in the driveway because of course I do not drive the vehicle on the road with this condition. With the van turned off not running I can pump the brake once and then I have solid brake pedal pressure, hence the pedal does not go to the floor but the braking system seems to have plenty of pressure. I checked the brake flluid and it does have plenty of fluid and does not appear to be leaking. I had the brakes done over a year ago and started to have issues with the back brakes. From time to time the van would vibrate seriously when the brakes were applied and this vibration seemed to come from the back of the van or the back breaks. Also occasionally the abs light would come and then go out within a short time frame. Not sure what is happening. Have not had it looked at yet. Outside of work warranty to get the shop to do fix-it for free. Could this be a master cylinder problem or a fluid flow issue when the car is running? Please advise. Thank you.

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010 AT 6:26 AM

1 Reply

AQUACIDE12

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Ok. Thanks anyway guys but I figured it out myself. The brake line tube that runs along and is attached to the frame going to the right rear brakes had a very fine pin hole as a reult of rust at one of the bends just before where it is attached to the line that runs to the brake housing. At first leaked almost no fluid, maybe a small, small spot that spayed on the frame so I did not see it and fluid was minimal. Found it by laying newspapers on the ground near beneath suspected leak and applying the emergency brake and pumping brake pedal which forced fluid to blow a bigger hole out of rusted area of tube and it sprayed a lot of fluid on newspapers.

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Monday, November 15th, 2010 AT 4:27 PM