No Front, Rear Brakes only!!

98-Salvage title. Noticed that the fronts pads were lasting for a very long time. What would cause me to get pressure to the rear but not the front? Are there Two seperate circuts? Also my car whins on startup and whines even louder when turning. Im thinking steering fliud, but I havent noticed a steering fluid resuvior tho.

Id think a bad master cylinder could do something like that.

Have you checked your brake fluid level? How about the actual brake lines themselves?


As for the whining issue, it could very well be the power steering pump, although if youve been driving it around low or bone dry, you probably already toasted the pump anyway.

The reservoir is there, I just cant recall where it is on a 3.8. Check your owners manual if you have it. Or go out an pick up a Chiltons, sounds like you might need one soon anyway.

Brakes are two circuit,should be left front and right rear, and right front and left rear. Possible that you don't have any fluid in master cylinder, check it out! Power steering reservoir is on the inside bank of cylinders, right above the power steering pump. It is easy to miss, it's pretty low on the front end of the engine (pass side). Use a long skinny funnel to access, other wise use a little bottle of power steering fluid, it doesn't take much to fill it up, unless of course, it is bone dry. Pretty weird about no front brakes, though. usually the rear brakes go because of the lines. I'd have a careful look at the master cylinder, bet that it is low on fluid. Car will be pretty hard to stop if you are only using the rears!

Good Luck,

Mark

fluid reservoir is behind the engine, below the alternator (very easy to miss, you will need a flashlight) Mine was doing the same thing, but it was not that i was low on fluid it was just the fluid that was in there was so old and burnt it was no longer lubricating. I used a turkey baster and sucked out all the fluid from the reservoir, then topped up with some power steering fluid or transmission fluid. Repeat this a few times over after letting the car run to get more good fluid in there. As for the brakes...Im pretty sure the car wouldn't stop very well at all with only rear brakes. I also had a set of brakes that lasted an unusually long time (i think 4 years, daily driver) But the brake pads that were put on by the previous owner were very expensive. Cheap brakes can be burnt out in no time if you are hard on them. Also, if your front brakes are not working the rotors will be very rusty on the friction surface

To save you some confusion, harmankardon is right on the location of the power steering reservior. Remark is also right, but hes talking about the 3.5 not the 3.8.

A good point was made about long lasting break pads. I have some Raybestos ceramic pads that have been on for quite a while and arent really all that worn.

Another way to tell if your front brakes are working is to see if theyre hot or not, but Id give them a few minutes after you stop, and go for the calipers not the pads. If theyre working, should be a lot of heat on them. Even from a low speed stop.

Thank you. I have found the steering fluid reseviour. i check the brake fluid, and it seems to be full. Could their be air in the system? sorry im posting so late guys. My plate is very full.

Have someone pump the brake pedal 3-4X slowly and hold it. Crack the bleeder screw on the caliper and see if fluid comes out. Repeat process until fluid is present. Dont drain the M/C out though. Keep it filled. Do not allow assistant to let off pedal until the bleeder screw is tight again.
Generally you would start with the right front and move over to the left.