Need some advice. I took my low mileage GN out for some long overdue exercise today. Drove my son to his soccer game and crused at 90 MPH down and back interstate 78. Ran like a top. Got off and went down the mountain on a twisting road for about 4 miles getting on and off the ORIGINAL brakes. Again no problems. Then a pulled into a convienience store to get him a drink and as I pulled into the parking spot, THE BRAKES FAILED
Fortunately , I was going slow enought that I just hit the curbing. I was truley fortunate this failure had not happened minutes sooner.
I then noticed the Brake light on the dash was lite and the pedal was rock hard. I was down to about 5% of the original braking ability. I was able to hobble home by taking back roads and driving slow enough to nearly coast to a stop. If I put "full force" on the pedal, I could engage the brake but it would still take about 40 ft to stop from 10 MPH. That is how weak the brakes were! So what went on me? That grey switch, the bowl accumulator or the dreaded PowerMaster unit? Again , my car is all original except the battery, exhaust and tires. I should be embarassed to admit this but I am just so used to the car being "like new" (23k miles) that I never even checked the pads or shoes although I do have an appointment to get the brakes done later in July, just as maintenance. Did I wait too long? Could I have actually worn out the pads? Although I heard no stange sounds , I did smell something "burning" ? Obviously , I should pull the wheels but in the meantime would appreciate some thoughts. Thanks
Fortunately , I was going slow enought that I just hit the curbing. I was truley fortunate this failure had not happened minutes sooner.I then noticed the Brake light on the dash was lite and the pedal was rock hard. I was down to about 5% of the original braking ability. I was able to hobble home by taking back roads and driving slow enough to nearly coast to a stop. If I put "full force" on the pedal, I could engage the brake but it would still take about 40 ft to stop from 10 MPH. That is how weak the brakes were! So what went on me? That grey switch, the bowl accumulator or the dreaded PowerMaster unit? Again , my car is all original except the battery, exhaust and tires. I should be embarassed to admit this but I am just so used to the car being "like new" (23k miles) that I never even checked the pads or shoes although I do have an appointment to get the brakes done later in July, just as maintenance. Did I wait too long? Could I have actually worn out the pads? Although I heard no stange sounds , I did smell something "burning" ? Obviously , I should pull the wheels but in the meantime would appreciate some thoughts. Thanks
