I've got no brakes!

[Andres]

Hey all - once again in need of some wisdom.

Dad borroed the car this evening and when i hopped in to drive home there was NO brakes. Pressed the pedal right to the floor. This jsut slowed the car down enough to get down our steep driveway.

Now the dilemma is I'm meant to be going camping boxing day or day after, and i need the car fixed before then. From the small amount of research, I'm guessing its a wheel cylinder. The only sign of fluid getting out is from behind the drum - as seen in the pic. No leakage from lines, joins etc.

This shows the back left wheel (86 60-series) which now appears to be covered in brake fluid. Whats involved with getting this fixed? And how much (at a guess) would a mechanic charge if i don't have time?

Cheers!

[high n mighty]

That is a wheel cylinder, it would take you 30 mins and bleed if you find yourself that way inclined.

Not sure on costs, I havent bought one in years and havent paid a mechanic to do them before.

Mine popped on sunday too

I don't need the vehicle though so it sits where it is until I buy a new cylinder

[not not]

good guess and spot on buddy i would say your wheel cylinders are shot and you are better off doing both rears at once they are about 40/60 bucks a set from repco and can be done by a novice home mechanic with a good manuel otherwise ask about at diffrent shops to get a good price as it can be done within about 1/2 1hour

[HotFourOk]

The wheel cylinder sits between the ends of the drum shoes.

I got new ones for my Rocky for $60 each (Cruiser parts would be cheaper and more available).

While you're at it you can change the shoes if they haven't been done for a while. And get ready to clean all that mud out of the drum

Take the wheel off, remove the drum housing (take handbrake off first ), then take your shoes out, knowing what springs go where. This helps when you put it back together.

You will also need to bleed the brakes due to the cylinders being new and full of air.

If you aren't confident, a mechanic wont charge much, especially if they just do the one wheel, to get you going until you have more time to do the other one.

[HotFourOk]

That is a wheel cylinder, it would take you 30 mins and bleed if you find yourself that way inclined.

Not sure on costs, I havent bought one in years and havent paid a mechanic to do them before.

Mine popped on sunday too

I don't need the vehicle though so it sits where it is until I buy a new cylinder

Serves you right for scaring Frontie HnM Poor little guy

That lux is coming up well... cant wait to go for a outing with you's

[high n mighty]

That is a wheel cylinder, it would take you 30 mins and bleed if you find yourself that way inclined.

Not sure on costs, I havent bought one in years and havent paid a mechanic to do them before.

Mine popped on sunday too

I don't need the vehicle though so it sits where it is until I buy a new cylinder

Serves you right for scaring Frontie HnM Poor little guy

That lux is coming up well... cant wait to go for a outing with you's

I think Mitch got wood driving it up the road

Oops, off topic

[Andres]

Thanks fellas - I rebuilt the front hubs recently (took me a while, but got it done) - so I reckon this should be do-able within a half day.