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View Full Version : Brakes Going Out On the Interstate=Fail


sgdp
June 16th, 2009, 12:52 am
I've had recurring nightmares about my brakes failing since before I could drive. There are also ones I've had about trying to drive from the back seat, but...I digress...

Well, they say sometimes dreams really do come true! :mrgreen:

There's a bit of construction at this interstate junction, see. It goes down to one lane. You know how drivers are...cutting you off because they realize they've missed their exit. :wall:

So, I was just short of what I would call slamming my brakes. The first few inches down, normal. Then all of the sudden...

WHOMP! My pedal hit the floor and there was absolutely no pressure. I didn't hit the guy in front of me, but I came damn near close. :eek:

I've merged onto the next interstate, now, and I'm tapping my brakes to see what's going on. :confused:

Nothing. Nadda. Nilch.

Like a scene from a horror movie when your worst enemy cuts your brake lines.

People are tailgating me as I'm cruising at about 45. There was no place to pull over what with the construction, so I just made sure there was plenty of room ahead of me and got off at the exit I was going for about 10 miles down. Don't even want to count the near-misses.

Of course, I had a hell of a time "yielding", and that nearly got me killed, too. :cool:

End up in a parking lot. Call for help. And...

My brake light goes on. As if to tease me. GEE THANKS. I realize that, now.:mad:

There's a hole in my brake line, that's what did it. Can hear the air just rushing out when I hit the brakes.


**(Smiley faces added for your enjoyment. I had to vent. :neutral:)

AeroEngineer
June 16th, 2009, 1:40 am
Your brake light should have come on well before your line was empty. It should have tripped when the fluid in the master cylinder was getting low.

Thankfully you were able to get out of a very dangerous situation!

sgdp
June 16th, 2009, 1:45 am
Yes, it was a bit late on the forewarning.

I got lucky multiple times, but I'm not looking forward to the bill. :((

traditional_woman
June 16th, 2009, 8:07 am
Sounds scarey, but did it end better than your nightmares? Praise God that nothing happened to you or other motorists!

EnchantedFrog
June 16th, 2009, 8:13 am
That's why they put emergency brakes on cars with a steel cable to actuate the rear brakes in case the hydraulics fail.