happened to not once but twice: rusted through brake lines. First time
no problem had it towed and fixed but I guess it just waited for the
next rusted piece to bust: Had to step somewhat hard to stop and the
pedal went immediately all the way down. After the first experience I
knew what it was. Emergency brake is your friend: it's mechanically.
Anyway brake fluid dripping down the front wheel. That was on vacation
on Cape Cod and we found a mechanic who had all the tools to put a new
brake line in. Now I am "waiting" for the next weak spot to bust...

On Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 1:28 PM, B Feddish <bfeddish@netreach.net> wrote:
> OK, in my vans usual MO of having problems close to home....
>
> I was stopping for a light when I could of sworn I saw a puff of smoke as my
> brakes completely failed. �Pedal all the way to the floor. Luckily I was
> traveling up hill and stopped inches from bumper in front of me. �Luckily I
> just had to do a U turn into a reputable foreign car service place which is
> where it now sits. �The girl behind the counter, after I explained what
> happened, actually asked "Do you want to leave it here or bring it back
> Thursday?".
>
> Anyway, my real question is why did the brakes fail completly? I see fluid
> coming out near the firewall so why did I lose front brakes too? I thought
> they had advanced since my '65 beetle and had 2 chamber master cylinders. Or
> am I dreaming?
>
> Thanks,
> Bryan
>

-- 
Karl
1981 VW Westy "Jenny"
2000 VW Jetta GLS VR6
Wilmington, DE