holy moly, my brakes go out, I could've died and I'm stranded
I'm back... I've been stranded in the mountains of NC for a bit. I went up there to shoot my first wedding. As soon as I get there my brakes go out, (the seals in the Master Cylinder). I'm approaching a line of cars about 4 deep that have come to a stop next ot Tweetsie Railroad, traveling aprox 50mph, the traffic is heavy in the oncoming lanes, there is steep embankment on the right. I panic and forget the emergency brakes and pump frantically at the pedal. I finally get pressure and start decelerating at about 6 pumps in. I make it to a pay phone cuz my cell service is no good up there. That is on Friday, I finally get my car towed in on Saturday, they tell me my car will be ready Monday, they get the wrong part and I'm stuck til Tuesday. I miss 3 deadlines and am put behind on 5 assignments. But at least I'm still alive and kickin' arse.
Comments
Originally posted by LiquidR
As soon as I get there my brakes go out, (the seals in the Master Cylinder).
Having my brakes go on the car has always been something that I have had nightmares about (that and being trapped in a car underwater - don't know why). How common is sudden brake failure as a general occurance among cars? Does age and servicing make a difference, or is it just one of those things that can happen?
Do you or other AIers have any further knowledge about this?
P.S. Good to still have you with us Liquid.
Originally posted by LiquidR
But at least I'm still alive and kickin' arse.
...and you can still smile about it!!
Glad in the end everything turned out ok.
Another car, a custom built Celica, had the seals in the clutch cylinder break but that is a custom part and I would have to build a new one. Too much work for a car that is not street legal.
Fortunately I was only going about 25mph at the time, and yeah, when you're freaked out you lock up the wheels pretty quickly with the emergency brake. This is also why I like having a manual transmission vehicle...
Originally posted by the cool gut
You have to be carefull with the emergency break ... if you had remembered to use it - you could easily lock your tires and spin out.
That's why it is now referred to as the "parking brake" by the manufacturers. Anything to limit liability.