My brake light came on last night as I was about to pull in my driveway. Shortly before that I noticed I had to push the brake pedal down more than before to stop. The master cylinder cape gasket was not sealing correctly and needed to be replaced. The fluid was also very low. I replaced the gasket and filled up the brake fluid. I pressed down on the beak pedal multiple times which turned off my brake light. I took it for a test drive and still notice that I have to press the pedal down more than before. Not as bad but still doesn't seem right. Any suggestions?

 

If you're losing brake fluid, you need to find and repair the leak. Look for dampness on a line or at the back of the master cylinder. You also want to pull the rear wheels and drums and see if a wheel cylinder has gone bad. If you're NOT losing fluid, your master cylinder may be leaking inside. The fact that you had to add fluid leads me to think you have a leak somewhere.

 

I'm guessing I lost fluid due to the gasket not being on tight. There was at least a one inch gap that the fluid could have gotten out.

Does it take some time after adding the fluid for the pressure to feel right when applying pressure to the brake?

 

Do you have antilock 2wheel or 4wheel? If you get air into the brake module its really hard to remove it. If you dont have a scan tool with brake and trans control (expensive) you MIGHT try removing the brake caliper and use a Cclamp and squeeze the piston back. Be aware that it might overflow the master and get fluid all over your paint

 

Usually, the pedal will firm up as soon as you get the air out. If you got air in the lines, if it's near the master cylinder, it can be fun to get it out. A little trick I used to do with older systems may work on newer systems IF the air bubble is up just inside the line at the master cylinder. With the hood open, take the cover off and tap the brake pedal lightly. You just want to tap enough to cause a little bulge in the fluid. Don't jam it hard, just light taps. Each time you tap, let off the pedal completely. If the air bubble is just inside the master cylinder, this will often get it out.

If you do this for 5-10 minutes and after putting the cap back on, try the brakes. If they're firm, you're done. If not, you need to take sopme stuff apart.

Head over to the grocery store and get a Turkey baster. They run a buck or two. I usually keep a couple around the shop. Take your cap off the master cylinder and slurp (<-----fancy technical term) the fluid out as much as you can. Pull one brake caliper and press it back in. Keep an eye on the master cylinder and if it fills completely up, slurp some more out. Pull the other caliper and press it in too. Slurp it dry again and fill it with fresh fluid. With the calipers installed again, press them down. Keep an eye on the master cylinder, and keep it full. The pedal should firm up tight when you get the caliper extended again. You've also gotten a lot of old fluid out of the system. Bleed the back brakes and you should have both a firm edal and a flushed brake system.

 

What year and model is the vehicle?

 

1997 blazer 4D 4wheel drive.

Grouch, thanks for your reply. I'll give that a try.

Any other ideas are welcomed.

 

Is driving my blazer in this condition dangerous?

 

As long as theres no other cars on the road you`ll be fine

 

So it's not even safe to drive to the garage??