Break Problems

Recently I have been having to push the pedal completely down to stop my car, the breaks don't even start working until the pedal is close to the floor.

Does this mean there is air in my lines or what could be causing things?

I havn't checked my breaks to see if they are worn yet, because I don't have a jack that fits under my car.

Thanks !

could be air, master cylinder, bad fluid, maby even a few other things. Bleed your brakes first to see if that helps. If it was your pads you could probably tell by a squeeling noise or metel on metal noise.

First of all... if you had a break problem something would be broken, LOL... find a jack and check your BRAKES,check your fluid & check for leaks and if everything looks good then it could be your master cylinder.... and stop driving your car around if your brakes suck before we read about you in the next "I wrecked my car" thread

check the calipers and lines, make sure there are no leaks and what not, if every thing is kosher its likely to what is listed above...

I don't know if this means anything seriouse, but my break light stays on even with the E break down. Is my car trying to tell me something?

I'd assume it'd be telling you to check your car for what's wrong with it, because clearly there is a problem. I'd start by checking the rear brakes first, because that light won't just stay on if everything i kosher ya know. Either you're going to have to find someone with a short jack, buy one or by something like this: http://www.jhpusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_154&products_id=733

I don't know if this means anything seriouse, but my break light stays on even with the E break down. Is my car trying to tell me something?
That light indicates that you are low on brake fluid. Do9nt drive that shit untill you at;adst put some more fluid into it. You probly have a leajk somewherwe and you need tho check thaty shnit out.

One trick to getting a jack under your car is clear a flat hole in the grass and put something hard (thick ass piece of wood) under your car and park appropriately, then put the jack on that and raise it up. But be sure to chuck your wheels, use your e-brake and don't jack it up too high... basically use discretion. You will have to get down on your hands and knees. Oh yeah, you could just go to a brake shop...

Do break shops charge you to use their stuff? Cause I can do this myself... the jacking up thing is the only issue i have. I Have some wood I can probably use but I don't know if it would be high enough

I used to drive up on a piece of 2x4 then open my door and lift up on it and slide the jack under with my foot.... worked every time. :)

Roll your car up on the wood. Put it on the ground in front of whatever wheel your going to want up if it don’t work then try some more wood or anything thick to raise the car up a little so you can get a jack under it...what happened to the jack that came with the car? They’re really small.

All the wood tricks should work (but don't try lifting on your door cuz you'll probably f*ck it up that way). And yeah, where is the stock scissor jack that came with the car? If you don't have one, go to a junkyard and try to find one. They come in really handy when you need more than one; especially if your jack doesn't fit under your car :biggrin:

When I bought the car it didn't have the jack with it.
The guy must have gotten rid of it, or didn't get it when he bought the car

Actually, any small scissor jack will work -- need to have the jack, the crank lever rod and something to fit in the rod to spin it (the back side of lug wrench but big screwdriver should work as well)... like I said it comes in handy

I have 2 jacks, but they are both like, 2 inches to big... I think its time I hit the junk yard for some accessories i suppose

Travis, Are you trying to jack your car up on pavement, in a garage or where? When I jack my car up at home on the grass it's not exactly perfectly level and I always have to brace the jack and car. When I'm on the street my small hydro-jack barely tucks under it or doesn't even depending on the slope of pavement. But strangely enough when I'm at my buddy's garage we can easily roll and fit both big 2 1/4? ton jacks under each side and crank no problem. I guess having molded side skirts might cause a problem... I don't know. I just figured I'd mention the fact that in a level surface garage it's a piece of cake to fit the jacks under the car.
K

I don't think the HOA would let me do car work in the grass... I have to do it in the garage. I think I can go to my dads and barrow his little yellow ramps that are designed for this. I just spoke with him and he offered them to me to use, so I think I can take care of it now... I will let you guys know how it goes later tonight... Hopefully its not my master cylinder... :(

if its ramps you still cant get your wheel(s) off. your wheel(s) is still holding up the car... the ramps are good for exhaust system installs or whatever else is under the car...
i dont know what kind you are talking about for sure, but i think its the ones you drive up... if you do use them (but why???) i hope you can drive good its not that easy, and you have a low ass car (my car is stock hight and hits them things) ... just my :2cents:

I can go on the ramps and jack it off the ramps... that sounds gross... then move the ramps when the jacks are in place


Hopefully they are low enough... i guess we will see..

your car is gonna be like 2 1/2 feet in the air ...lol not a good idea and the ramp is going to be in the way of the jack.... good luck if you do get it to work, but it sounds like a pain in the ass

I don't have to go all the way up the ramps... i can just go high enough to fit the jack under it... i hope... Or i guess i can just get all the neighborhood kids to lift up my car cause its a rex.. they should be able to do it (muhahaha)

try the towing hooks... there just behind the bumpers. one in back and 2 up front