Spring and brake Issue

GREGORY MICHAEL YATES

MEMBER
1998 CHRYSLER CONCORDE
3.2L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
155,000 MILES

Hello again,

Bare with me, as I am selling this POS soon.
I replaced master cylinder + booster and had the system flushed and bled last month.
Brakes were great but now, pedal goes to the floor. So I checked fluid level and it was very low.
I filled and brakes worked fine but after a few hours,
The pedal again, went to floor. Fluid level again in very low.
Obviously fluid is leaking from somewhere.
Last month I replaced front pads only.
I don't see any leaks from new master cylinder or booster.
Don't see any splash stains under wheel wells.
Time to remove all tires and look for leaks from calipers and lines?
I also saw this spring - (see image) -on floor under steering wheel- this was 2 months ago so I don't know if related?
What so you think?

Image (Click to make bigger)

6 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Yes. We need to find where the fluid is going. So with the amount of fluid that appears to have come out it should be pretty easy to find it.

Here are some guides that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-bleed-or-flush-a-car-brake-system

As for the spring that appears to be a spring for the rear drums but even then it is a little thin so if there are no issues, I would not worry about it at this point.

Let's start with locating the leak and go from there. Thanks

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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 3:59 PM

GREGORY MICHAEL YATES

MEMBER
89 POSTS

Hi KASEKENNY1

Master cylinder is empty again. I don't see any leaks from back of master cylinder. So I removed all 4 tires. I replaced rear pads. I don't see any leaks except n driver's side I see a liquid on frame behind wheel. But this may have been degreaser I sprayed to remove power steering fluid from when I replaced power steering pump. Will let this dry. This is under master cylinder, so I will look closer. I guess I could have a leak in 1 of the brake lines? Maybe I can fill master cylinder and have someone pump brake pedal and look for leaks?

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Saturday, October 17th, 2020 AT 6:19 PM

GREGORY MICHAEL YATES

MEMBER
89 POSTS

I added more brake fluid to empty reservoir.
Pedal almost goes to floor.
And does stop car but this is scary.
What about the ABS pump?
If this car has one.
I am sure there is air in line.
But still have not found where leak is coming from.
Not from driver's side as I suspected in earlier post.

Also, do I really need to have ABS brakes bled using a DRS III scanner tool?

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Sunday, October 18th, 2020 AT 10:06 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

It is unlikely that the fluid is leaking through the ABS but anything is possible. Your first idea is what we need to start with. Fill the master cylinder and pump the pedal to get some pressure and then have someone hold the pedal so that you can look down the brake lines for a leak.

If you have no pedal that is because the leak is allowing air into the system. So if you still find no external leaks we need to disconnect all the lines from the master cylinder and cap each port on the master cylinder so that it eliminates the entire system except the master cylinder. I assume since it is new that the pedal will be firm. Then you need to hook back in one leg of the system at a time. Once the pedal drops to the floor then you just introduced the leg of the system with the issue. Then we can trace that leg of the system to find the issue.

If you replace the ABS then yes, it must be bled with the scan tool. If not then it will not be able to apply the brakes during an ABS event.

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Monday, October 19th, 2020 AT 4:21 PM

GREGORY MICHAEL YATES

MEMBER
89 POSTS

Hi,

Okay, I took the car to garage.
They replaced a brake line that was broken. And bled system.
Brakes are fine now.
Until another line rusts out and breaks.
Thanks for your help!