Brake troubles

[netmazk]

Hello again everyone,
For the last few months I have been away at school without my car (a beautiful 1995 Aurora with 75k miles). I was driving it on the weekends whenever I would come home to visit, and it seemed she was leaking some brake fluid. So, I added brake fluid, and it was fine for another few weeks. This continued for quite a while, with a small container of brake fluid lasting me a good couple weeks.

Fast forward to now, I haven't driven the car for a while (5+ weeks) due to a dead battery. I have just recently returned home for spring break and obtained and installed a new battery. I also had to add a fairly large amount of brake fluid. After installation she started right up and I was greeted with a consistent ticking noise and very soft brake pedal. The ticking went away after running for 20 minutes or so (im assuming the oil took time to warm and circulate everywhere), but the brake pedal remains feeling very soft and does not feel like it applies adequate brake pressure until the pedal is pushed down a fair bit. Now, I figure that air has probably gotten into my brake lines as a result of the fluid leaking out. Is my assumption correct?

If this is the case, I'm guessing I will have to get new brake lines (and possibly pads and rotors soon) installed and bled. Does anyone have an estimate for what this would cost at a garage? And if possible, is the replacement of the brake lines something that I could do myself? I'm a poor college student and I really dont have much money that I can spend on my car at the moment, and I would really like to have her in driveable condition once again.

[Isnibs]

Try this thread for some good info

http://aurorah.proboards20.com/index...num=1106751426

[ugsrich]

Where are you losing the brake fluid? At the wheels? At the Master Cylinder? Do you know?

I have a '95 as did my father (we both are/were original owners). His MC crapped out at around 75K miles. Mine crapped out at around 90K miles. In both cases the fluid was leaking from the MC it self and was visible on the face of vacuum assist canister to which the MC is mounted.

I don't think you necessarily need all sorts of exotic brake work. I think you do need to isolate the location of the problem and take corrective action as necessary at that point.

[netmazk]

Isnibs, thanks for the link; there's lots of good information there.

and ugsrich, I just took a look at my car to further determine where the leak is, and you were right. The fluid is leaking out of the master cylinder, and I can see it running down the side of the firewall. Looks like I will be replacing this and bleeding my brakes the next time I am home. Do you have any suggestions on a replacement MC or any tips for the installation and bleeding?

Thanks for your help

[KJH]

Netmazk - someone posted step-by-step instructions for replacing the master cylinder some time ago. The instructions were great and I replaced mine about 4 months ago. I didn't even need to bleed the brakes.

Good luck

[ugsrich]

I suggest you purchase a new MC. Make sure that the bleeder kit is included. Then, follow the instructions to bench-bleed the MC and then install. If you take care you will not need to bleed the entire system.

You will probably have some difficulty removing the ABS recirculation hose from the old MC resevoir. Don't let that get you down though.

[netmazk]

I looked up your old thread with the brief instructions that you gave, ugrsrich... good information.

I plan to buy this MC as a replacement:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...pe=230&ptset=A
It's $52 + a $35 core charge, and comes with the bleeder kit and new seals and o-rings. Sounds like a deal to me.

Thanks for all your help, everyone.