Brake pedal traveling to the floor - Land Rover Forums : Land Rover and Range Rover Forum

Wrkngman · 03-05-2012, 11:18 AM

I recently had to replace the water pump on my 99 Disco II. I removed the negative battery cable as I always do when working on a car. After I got it all back together, and made sure everything was good, I drove it around town. Immediately realized my brake pedal was traveling a lot further down before I had brakes. Before I got back to the house, I was having to pump the brakes to stop.
This is my first Land Rover, and my first time working on it, so my question is: Is this tied in with disconnecting the negative battery cable? Sounds like a stupid question, but I've ran into some odd things already with this vehicle. Or am I just "lucky enough" to have something else break, after just getting it fixed?

Disco Mike · 03-05-2012, 01:35 PM

Wasn't because of the battery disconnect. You have a bad fluid leak or blew your master cylinder.

Wrkngman · 03-05-2012, 03:48 PM

Afraid you'd say that. I didn't see any fluid leaks. Just my luck, break something when I wasn't even driving it. Brakes were fine when I pulled it under the carport to work on it.

Wrkngman · 03-06-2012, 03:23 PM

Ok Mike.....I did find a leak. It seems to be where the reservoir sits on top of the master cylinder. Does that still mean the master cylinder is bad? As I'm sure you can tell, I'm not familiar with brake systems, but I still like fixing what's mine.

Nevermind man....I did some research and discovered that it is in fact, a sign that it needs replacing. I was really hoping for some good news. LOL.

dismembered.dream · 03-06-2012, 04:03 PM

you would need a large leak to lose that much pressure, and you would have probably lost most of the fluid pumping your brakes around town, so i think you would have noticed if it was pissing out fluid on a header or something. hate to say it but id probably lean towards master cylinder, Atlantic British has them for $250, a little steep if you ask me. id get in touch with paul grant he always supplys good used parts at very reasonable prices.

and changing the master cylinder is simple, bleeding the brakes after will probably be the most difficult part.

Wrkngman · 03-06-2012, 04:16 PM

I was only looking for leaks around the lines under the vehicle, and when I say around town, it was more like around the block. It was getting late (Sunday), and turns out I was getting strep throat. Took a day off, went back to work today, and started a thorough search when I got home. Filled the reservoir, pumped the breaks, and sure enough there was fluid seeping around the top of the master cylinder.
The repair looks simple enough, and I have heard the bleeding of the brakes can be a little tricky, even with help. I am fairly limited on places to get parts from without waiting a week, but I can get one for $145 tomorrow.

Thanks for the replies.

Disco Mike · 03-06-2012, 05:31 PM

What are you buying for $145, I hope it is not a used master cylinder.

03DISCOHP · 03-07-2012, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrkngman

I was only looking for leaks around the lines under the vehicle, and when I say around town, it was more like around the block. It was getting late (Sunday), and turns out I was getting strep throat. Took a day off, went back to work today, and started a thorough search when I got home. Filled the reservoir, pumped the breaks, and sure enough there was fluid seeping around the top of the master cylinder.
The repair looks simple enough, and I have heard the bleeding of the brakes can be a little tricky, even with help. I am fairly limited on places to get parts from without waiting a week, but I can get one for $145 tomorrow.

Thanks for the replies.

Just a thought. But if your leaking around the resevoir after working under the hood. Did you push on or break the resevoir? If you lost fluid and pumped air into the system this wouls cause your problem. I think its possible to replace the resevoir without doing the rest. Then just refil and re-bleed the breaks. Great time to flush out the old fluid and get fresh in there.

Wrkngman · 03-08-2012, 06:14 PM

I wasn't working anywhere near the reservoir. I actually went through that in my head at first, thinking the same possibility.
All the work I've done on cars, and this is my first master cylinder. Also, my first time bench bleeding, and bleeding brakes. Everything went fine, and I learned a lot of things about my new baby. I also reminded myself to quit buying cheap tools! Lmao. I broke one of my 11mm wrenches loosening one of the bleeder valves.