The brakes suddenly went out while driving down the road?

1995 CHEVROLET ASTRO
180,000 MILES • 4.3L • 4 CYL • 2WD
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TEDJOHN1960
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The pedal went to the floor and won’t pump up. Replaced the back brakes and master cylinder and bled the brakes, but no fluid is coming out of the master cylinder as far as I can tell. The van sat for a year and the brake fluid is like molasses. Not sure what to do next.
Oct 17, 2023 at 9:26 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi,

If the brake pedal is going to the floor, either you have a leak, a faulty master cylinder, or something isn't together correctly.

Take a look at this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

Now, is the fluid level going down? Also, you indicated no fluid is coming from the MC. If you remove one of the lines at the MC and have the brake pedal depressed, does anything come out?

Additionally, I need to know if this has manual or power brakes. Also, does it have an ABS system? And finally, does it have a traditional vacuum brake booster, or does it have the hydro boost which provides assistance via the power steering pump?

Let me know. Also, let me know which brake master cylinder you have. See pic below.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
Image (Click to enlarge)
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Oct 18, 2023 at 5:43 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 110,175 POSTS
Hi:

If the brake pedal is going to the floor, either you have a leak, a faulty master cylinder, or something isn't together correctly. Take a look at this link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

Now, is the fluid level going down? Also, you indicated no fluid is coming from the MC. If you remove one of the lines at the MC and have the brake pedal depressed, does anything come out?

Additionally, I need to know if this has manual or power brakes. Also, does it have an ABS system? And finally, does it have a traditional vacuum brake booster or does it have the hydroboost which provides assistance via the power steering pump?

Let me know. Also, let me know which brake master cylinder you have. See pic below.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
Oct 18, 2023 at 5:43 PM
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