No Brake Fluid in Reservoir

[1996 XLT V8]

Can someone pinpoint as to what might be wrong?

Was trying to test ABS and as I drove, I pressed brakes hard and all of a sudden the pedal got soft, barely any brakes. Then I checked brake reservoir and there was NO Brake fluid there.

Could a Brake Booster be bad? Or does brake booster have nothing to do with it?

p.s. There are about 200 miles driven on new front rotors. Brakes were ok until yesterday.

Thanks for input.

 

[1998Exp]

It's not the booster. Your system developed a sudden leak somewhere. Look carefully underneath, and you will find it. Could be a corroded line that gave in under pressure, for example.
You know that, of course, but have to say it anyway: DO NOT DRIVE THAT VEHICLE UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED.
Also, you will almost certainly have air in the ABS controller, which means that conventional brake bleeding won't work, and you'll need a pro with the right equipment.

...
Was trying to test ABS and as I drove, I pressed brakes hard and all of a sudden the pedal got soft, barely any brakes. Then I checked brake reservoir and there was NO Brake fluid there.

Could a Brake Booster be bad? Or does brake booster have nothing to do with it?
...

Thanks for input.

 

[1996 XLT V8]

It's not the booster. Your system developed a sudden leak somewhere. Look carefully underneath, and you will find it. Could be a corroded line that gave in under pressure, for example.
You know that, of course, but have to say it anyway: DO NOT DRIVE THAT VEHICLE UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED.
Also, you will almost certainly have air in the ABS controller, which means that conventional brake bleeding won't work, and you'll need a pro with the right equipment.

Thanks for the answer. Good thing that it happened while testing and not in real situation, because the brakes are very soft when pressed (only a little bit braking when pressed almost to the floor).

Also didn't know about the ABS Controller bleeding; more work to do.

Thanks for input.

 

[Tom G]

First place to look is the line that goes along the rear axle.

 

[SoNic67]

About ABS bleed - some people reported that braking several times hard on sand or grass (to activate ABS) eventually bleed the ABS.

 

[1996 XLT V8]

First place to look is the line that goes along the rear axle.

did that and noticed this:

1. filled full reservoir
2. pressed on brake only once and almost all of brake fluid was gone.
3. noticed some splashing what appeared to be brake fluid on the rear rim.
4. gonna inspect tomorrow after removing tire, etc.

Thanks.

 

[1996 XLT V8]

About ABS bleed - some people reported that braking several times hard on sand or grass (to activate ABS) eventually bleed the ABS.

I don't know the mechanics/physics of it but interesting.....

 

[swshawaii]

did that and noticed this:

1. filled full reservoir
2. pressed on brake only once and almost all of brake fluid was gone.
3. noticed some splashing what appeared to be brake fluid on the rear rim.
4. gonna inspect tomorrow after removing tire, etc.

Thanks.

Caliper seal. Fortunately, rebuilt unloaded calipers are relatively cheap, replace both. Also inspect ALL rubber brake hoses.

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1119653,parttype,1704

 

[lobo411]

When I had to replace my master cylinder, I bled it the normal way to get it safe enough to drive, and then I drove very carefully to a brake shop in town to have the abs bled. Cost $40 iirc.

The brakes felt fine driving to the brake shop/pre-abs bleeding, but I figured it was worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[1996 XLT V8]

Caliper seal. Fortunately, rebuilt unloaded calipers are relatively cheap, replace both. Also inspect ALL rubber brake hoses.

https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1119653,parttype,1704

thanks for information.

 

[1996 XLT V8]

When I had to replace my master cylinder, I bled it the normal way to get it safe enough to drive, and then I drove very carefully to a brake shop in town to have the abs bled. Cost $40 iirc.

The brakes felt fine driving to the brake shop/pre-abs bleeding, but I figured it was worth it for the peace of mind.

yeah once my original issue is fixed, then I'd start working on the abs bleed, that could wait though I guess. thx.

 

[Bobmbx]

I don't know the mechanics/physics of it but interesting.....

Locking up on a slippery surface causes the ABS to activate, and the pump forces fluid through the ABS assembly, taking the air with it.

After you do that, you bleed the brakes completely like you would do if you were flushing the brake fluid.

 

[1996 XLT V8]

Locking up on a slippery surface causes the ABS to activate, and the pump forces fluid through the ABS assembly, taking the air with it.

After you do that, you bleed the brakes completely like you would do if you were flushing the brake fluid.

good to know; finally its fixed and it was rear brake line pipe (had a hole in it).

Thanks.