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Brakes Failed!!

39K views 79 replies 32 participants last post by  astraowner 
#1 ·
Has anyone had their brakes fail on their Astra?

I was driving in to a parking spot at Morrisons last night and went to stop, however kept going and my foot was flat to the floor.

I managed to release my foot and put it back down stopping me instantly.

Bit dubious now as to what to do.

Brake fluid seems Ok, its about 1-2cm from the very top (small hole present just above top of fluid).

Had new brake pads fitted back in February but they're all still in tact and look Ok, no obvious leaks.
 
#2 ·
Without having tried anything similar I would say that you definitely should get it checked out by your dealer. Brakes are never supposed to fail like that. If they dismiss you, you should make an direct inquiry with Vauxhall/Opel in your country.
I generally fear anything like that happening while driving around with my wife and kids.
 
#8 ·
Do you not have a 3yr warranty??. The only brake parts that are generally not covered by warranty are those which required periodic replacing such as discs/pads. in addition If something has been damaged which is not attributed to a manufacturing defect then those parts are also not covered.

I'm concerned that you had lost total braking, braking systems have split systems which prevent total failure should a leak occur on one part of the system. The effect you would get is the brake pedal goes down half way which enables the vehicle to be bought to a halt although with greater effort and increased stopping distances.

I'm guessing but it sound like an issue with the master cylinder this controls the split system. I would not drive the vehicle until the vehicle has been checked. If the causal part is the master cylinder your warranty should cover this providing the brake fluid has been changed at the 2 year interval, I believe this could be used as a get out clause if not. Keep us all informed.

Terry..
 
#11 ·
OOOOP said:
Ivanzu said:
1.6CDTI engine? Most likely caused by slave cylinder failure.
All you did is read th car next to his profile to say that hahahaha, stop spreading lies that's it's only that does that, it literally has nothing to do with what you said. End of.
I have had both Slave and Master Cylinders Replaced.

I should have an update from the dealer today at about 15:00.
 
#13 ·
Find another garage. That's not good enough! :O
 
#14 ·
I agree it's not acceptable. We're talking total brake failure here, not cd player failure. They should be taking this more seriously. Fair enough, they've only got your word for it, but if you hit a tree then it's on their shoulders and their reputation at risk (not to mention your health!).
 
#15 ·
CharlieMike said:
I agree it's not acceptable. We're talking total brake failure here, not cd player failure. They should be taking this more seriously. Fair enough, they've only got your word for it, but if you hit a tree then it's on their shoulders and their reputation at risk (not to mention your health!).
They told me I could leave it there and they can "keep testing" but without any evidence they can't do anything. I got told that if it happens again to "ride it in using the handbrake only and not to touch the brake".

I had 2 other "issues" also which they fobbed me off.

1. Car Play cuts out when I receive a phone call (not major)
2. Since they changed the Slave and Master Cylinder my Second Gear has been 'sticking / grinding' slightly, mostly on a morning. apparently they couldn't find a problem with this.
 
#17 ·
That's exactly what mine was doing, went in last week as I couldn't get it into gear, clutch gone it's a 66 plate so only 18 months old asked them to check the brakes too as I had to keep really planting my foot down! So it was all or nothing with them they have changed the callipers yesterday and still not solved they have called on specialist technicians now so await a recall ladies and gents looks like it might be a common thing!
 
#21 ·
I'm no expert, but this is my take on it.

If the issue is as discussed - ie clutch hydraulic pipework producing deposits that are contaminating the hydraulic fluid, and we know that brakes and clutch use the same reservoir, then:-

As you press the brakes to operate the master cylinder, the piston first of all seals off the reservoir (else you would just pressurise it and not your brake lines) then with that sealed it can start to pressurise the brake lines and actuate the brakes.

I presume clutch is similar.

This may mean that contaminated fluid from the clutch lines can get back into the reservoir and then into the brake system.

So whilst they are separate hydraulic systems when being actuated, in their waiting state they are linked by the reservoir.

That's my guess, for what it's worth.
 
#22 ·
Crunchynut said:
I'm no expert, but this is my take on it.

If the issue is as discussed - ie clutch hydraulic pipework producing deposits that are contaminating the hydraulic fluid, and we know that brakes and clutch use the same reservoir, then:-

As you press the brakes to operate the master cylinder, the piston first of all seals off the reservoir (else you would just pressurise it and not your brake lines) then with that sealed it can start to pressurise the brake lines and actuate the brakes.

I presume clutch is similar.

This may mean that contaminated fluid from the clutch lines can get back into the reservoir and then into the brake system.

So whilst they are separate hydraulic systems when being actuated, in their waiting state they are linked by the reservoir.

That's my guess, for what it's worth.
Yes, you are generally right.

The supply of brake fluid to the clutch hydraulic circuit is partially separated from the main brake reservoir, so that in the event of a leak on the clutch side, it will maintain an adequate fluid supply to the brake circuits. This should prevent cross-contamination of the two circuits.

As you describe the process of what happens when the brake or clutch pedal is depressed, it is the same 'column' of fluid that is compressed in the circuit each time the pedal is operated and released. There will only be a transfer of new fluid into the system when the pedal is released and wear of compnents at the slave cylinder end (clutch friction plate or brake pads) require an increase in travel of the piston to take up a new position to account for this wear. The only time I can think that there is fluid flow from the slave end back up and into the reservoir would be during maintenance, when the pistons of the brake calipers are pushed back manually, for example.

Anthony
 
#25 ·
Crunchynut said:
Thanks for your reply Anthony.

So all in all, very unlikely that clutch problems should affect brakes through cross-contamination. More that clutch problms damage the master cylinder per previous suggestion.
If they slave cylinder leaks then could this mean their will eventually be insufficient fluid left for the brakes?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
#26 ·
I'm guessing that there is still fluid in the brake pipes so they would still work (unless fluid was leaking from a brake pipe), and the 'low brake fluid' warning light would come on way before the fluid in the reservoir was insufficient to maintain a head of fluid above the brake circuit.
 
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