heynow

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys, i had a pretty scary experience this morning. I start my car, it's 16 degrees out here (brrr). Car starts fine, but i was in a real hurry so i couldn't let it warm up. I depress the brake pedal, go into "D" and try to make a U-TURN. I come close to a parked car and try the brakes. The damn pedal is as hard as a rock! I pushed it down as hard as i could, and finally stopped.(almost hit a parked car!!) I tried braking a couple of times and the pedal loosened up and was ok after pressing the pedal 3 times. After that it was fine (Actually better, the pedal got less mushy!!!). I'm guessing that the brake fluid froze somewhere in the lines? I was complaining about my brake pedal feeling mushy after my mech changed both my rear calipers. Last i checked, my brake fluid level was in spec. Maybe my mech let a little air in while he was changing my calipers.

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

Most brake fluids have a freezing point of between -40/-50 F

Might be a faulty brake booster?

heynow

iTrader: (1)

oh i sure ****ing hope not!!

MaximaSE96

iTrader: (8)

i dont think so...I have superblue racing fluid and it was 7 degees this morning and i didnt have an issue

ArcticW

I almost steered into someone's lawn two mornings ago when this happened to me.Since the brakes and fluid are in good shape, I deduced it to be simply a stuck or frozen pedal linkage of some kind. Cars do strange things in subzero weather. I wouldn't worry about it happening again.

Simply warm your car, or floor the brake pedal when you shift out of Park, and all should be well.
BTW, your engine oil would freeze before your brake fluid would.

86maxima96

iTrader: (10)

no, freezing fluid is out of the question. 16 degrees is nothing. i've headed off to class in the morning at sub zero temps and no problems. the pedal definitely felt better as it warmed up, though.

heynow

iTrader: (1)

okay, so no reason to panick (yet). The brakes are fine, they're actauly feel firmer and have become more responsive.

Nealoc187

iTrader: (23)

If something froze in your brake lines it was water in your brake lines, brake fluid isn't going to freeze at any realistic temperatures. Flush your brake fluid with new fluid.

Another possibility is water on one or more of your calipers froze and wouldn't let the piston extend.

phenryiv1

iTrader: (19)

ALL of your answers are in this post.

shiftnatredline

iTrader: (1)

Def. since brake fluid absorbes water and since your mech changed the calipers air+water would freeze. btw there is air in your lines if it feels mushy. go back and complain and tell him to bleed the whole system. While you're at it just tell him he messed something up and have him replace all the brake fluid.. lol

heynow

iTrader: (1)

lol, i dunno, the dude's my neighbor, and i've bugged him enough already! It actually felt firmer on my way back home. The car brakes well, it's just that it seems that i need to push the pedal down more than i used to

buzpuck11

iTrader: (3)

Brake problems are nothing to ignore. If it doesn't feel right, go bug him, your safety as well as others depends on it.

willard00

iTrader: (1)

ya deff wasnt frozen. this morning here with wind chill it was about -10. i didnt have time to let the car warm up either...and i didnt have any problems.

heynow

iTrader: (1)

i guess i'll ask him

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

You're having a hydraulics problem. When the master cylinder starts to go, it will tend to go in the coldest temps and the seals are most contracted.

Get the master cylinder replaced and have the system bled. It's the only safe way to proceed. Also have all 4 brake lines inspected.

Dave

heynow

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Dave!