D&Sluv2fishandcampMN wrote:
I have a '76 dodge Jamboree class c. I owned this unit for a couple of years and then sold it to my sister. She didn't want it any more after about 2 years so I bought it back from her.
When I first owned it the brakes worked fine. Now when I got it back they are not there at all unless you really put a lot of force down on the pedal. I checked the brake fluid res. and it was very low. I added fluid but this did nothing.
How do I know if there is just a leak and now the brake lines need to be bled, or if it is the master cylinder that is bad? Is there any easy way to tell? If not what step would you take next?
If the brake pedal goes to the floor, then you have a problem with any of the following: brake lines, wheel cylinder(s), brake hoses, master cylinder or any combination of those.
If the brake pedal is hard, like you are saying, but does NOT push down, its most likely a problem with the brake booster. A couple simple things to check is to make sure your vacuum line to the booster is hooked up. The brake pedal will feel just like it does with the engine off, that is no boost and a hard to push pedal. If it is the booster, it will have to be replaced.
Master cylinder problems usually (but not always) show themselves by a brake pedal that sinks slowly to the floor as you hold your foot on the pedal.
Problems with the brake lines can be more drastic, the pedal will drop more rapidly to the floor.
If its a matter of the brakes needing bleeding, then pumping the pedal will generally make the brake pedal firm. If they need bleeding, then you need to find out why there is air in the system to start with.
Have someone with some knowledge of braking systems take a look. This is nothing to fool around with if you are not familar with them.
Hope this helps!
