lassensurf Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 96 Legacy LA month ago, brakes got soft, saw I'd lost fluid, just some. First time ever. No leaks anywhere. Topped it off and brakes were great. Then a few days ago happened again on way to work. Topped off fluid, but brakes were still a bit soft. Took it easy getting home. right near home, brakes got REALLY soft, scary soft. Checked fluid, no loss of fluid. Thought there might've been a leak on passenger front, but can't replicate it or find it. Finished getting home, but brakes pulled to driver side the few times I got some pressure behind them and then never again. No broken hoses, no leaks. Pumped brakes like crazy trying to find it. No more loss of fluid, but brake pedal still sinks to the floor. Car stops, but not on a dime if you know what I mean. Is this a leak that I can't find that's magically plugged itself up, or is it the Master Cylinder?There is a slight hissing sound when pumping the brakes, but not sure if that's anything unusual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertsubaru Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Sounds like master cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Probably the lines above the fuel tank/crossmember in the back. They rust out and spit fluid on top of the tank and you don't see it right away. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Probably the lines above the fuel tank/crossmember in the back. They rust out and spit fluid on top of the tank and you don't see it right away. This. When the leak first starts it's not even a hole like you'd think - it's layers of rust and the fluid finds it's way through it, seeping. Eventually it'll blow a hole in it and then you'll loose brakes entirely, spurting and flowing out and enough fluid will come out that it runs down the side of the gas tank and you'll see it. For now, it's just slowing seeping and collecting on top the gas tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 (edited) There's an access hole under the passengers side rear seat you can access the brake lines through. I splice in new lines there and then snake it to the flex hose at the brake caliper. If you don't want to do the splicing you can always run the line and just ask a shop or friend to do the final fitting together of pipes for you. Drive around with your parking brake and be cautious, it will blow out entirely and you'll need extra space/time/safe driving to get around with just the rear ebrake. Edited October 10, 2015 by grossgary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 (edited) Right on and if it's the lines above the tank get ready because on my soobs that was the first thing to rust out, followed by the trans cooler lines under the battery, fuel filler pipe, fuel lines where they come in under the rear seat, trans cooler lines on the trans itself, and so on. The lines above the tank pretty well have to be spliced under the rear seat because the entire lines under there rust pretty badly and replacing just a small section (which isn't even really possible without dropping the fuel tank). Edited October 11, 2015 by porcupine73 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushwick Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Usually when an actual line ruptures, it won't hold fluid, or it'll go really low, really fast. I've had mine rupture in the rear once in the 2 years owning it, plus it was rotted on another rear section after buying it. The time it ruptured, a pick up with a plow backed out onto a main road in front of me, forcing a hard stop and it ruptured. Was barely able to get the car to an appointment, then home, then Auto Zone for a new section. Think I topped it off a couple times and it never went completely dry vs. when I got it, after 2-3 pumps it was completely empty. "Hissing" when pressing the brakes is most likely the vacuum hose on the booster. It might have a split in it or dry rot that won't be noticeable until you move the hose by hand and inspect carefully. Can also have someone start the car, press the brakes, then inspect the hose while they hold the brake (tell them NOT to put it in gear; block the tires if need be). You might also having a generic vacuum line issue. If hissing is loud in the car, you should be able to find it. If not, you can use certain spray fluids (carefully) and spray a hose, connections, nipples, etc. and listen for an engine surge indicating a leak. It's very possible the master cylinder is bad, but as others stated, probably the line near the rear. You do NOT have to install new tubing through the exact same spot if bad. They route it in a PITA manner. As long as it's not hitting anything that moves, banging around, etc. it can be rerouted for ease of installation. Also, you should be able to smell the brake fluid. While not as pungent as trans fluid or sweet as coolant, get close enough and it should smell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lassensurf Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share Posted October 11, 2015 I'll have to check for it for that. Never considered it'd be that. Tried pumping it and looking for leaks anywhere and everywhere I could think. Looks like there might be a slow leak on the front passenger line, but seems the MC is bad, too. No longer losing any fluid, and brake pedal won't hold pressure, just sinks to the floor after a few seconds. Might be a couple things, but I'll def have to check out the rear line, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushwick Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Have you checked your carpeting near the door sills? Basically if sitting in driver seat, look left at the floor where it meets the vertical body. They run some lines along that seam and I *think* they have some brake lines along the passenger side (can someone confirm?), though I can't remember for sure. I thought I saw some in mine, but it's been awhile. If by some fluke this has happened, brake fluid will EAT paint to the metal, so be very careful what the carpet touches. It'd suggest axle grease on the bare metal floor after cleaning fluid off and sticking a sheet of plastic over that vs. primer that won't last long. Since the carpet is static with seats in, the grease should preserve the metal and the plastic will keep it off the underside of the carpet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Loosen the two bolts on the master cylinder and pull it out a bit from the booster housing and see if fluid pours out. If it does, you have your answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushwick Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 Loosen the two bolts on the master cylinder and pull it out a bit from the booster housing and see if fluid pours out. If it does, you have your answer. You think the fluid ended up in the booster? I haven't seen that since my 81' Mustang did it. Had to swap out the entire booster after that. Would the vacuum pull the fluid into the engine? Or does a check valve stop that? If there is fluid there, be VERY careful where it splashes. Anything with paint will look like it had chemical stripper on it if it touches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertsubaru Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 You think the fluid ended up in the booster? I haven't seen that since my 81' Mustang did it. Had to swap out the entire booster after that. Would the vacuum pull the fluid into the engine? Or does a check valve stop that? If there is fluid there, be VERY careful where it splashes. Anything with paint will look like it had chemical stripper on it if it touches. Usually when a master fails it is the inside seals on the piston and it wont leak into the booster. There was a thread on here years ago where a guy with an EA82 car kept getting smoke out his exhaust and couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Turned out to be brake fluid leaking into the booster then sucked into the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 OP said he was losing fluid, it had to go somewhere. I see MCs leak out the back all the time on American cars. Not common on these, but it can happen, and only takes a few seconds to check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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