I made a silly mistake.I have a 1998 Dodge Durango. I put about maybe 5 tablespoons of Powersteering fluid in my master cylinder. A friend of mine told me that it would not do anything but now my front brakes have locked up on me, is the caused from me putting in the powersteering fluid. It is not the calipers because the Mechanic that I normally have work on my car lifted my truck and said that both front brakes are locked, not just one. He drained the line and refilled it but it is still doing the same thing. I'm a single mom who trys to check my fluids all the time myself and made a big mistake. Can you please tell me why my brakes are locked and what I have to do to fix it and if it is going to be costly? Please help me, I'm desperate and scared that I will not be able to afford to fix my mistake. Help me with my Locked Brakes....PLEASE!
2007-11-04 05:35:32 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You will need to replace or rebuild the calipers. The power steering fluid had most likely caused the seals to swell and the seals are blocking the free movement of the pistons in the caliper! I would recommend that you replace the calipers and pads. If the brakes are locking, there is a good chance that the pads will be glazed, and the rotors may also need to be turned!
Have the entire brake hydraulic system flushed. Have the rear brake cylinders inspected, and if there is any sign if swelling in the seals there, have them replaced also.
You are looking at a couple of hundred dollars to repair this. Brakes are important!! Do not try to shortcut the repairs! Your life and the lives of others can be at risk if your brakes do not work properly!!
2007-11-04 10:32:32 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Where did you get you Knowledge from. Brake fluid is non petroleum based. As all other fluids are. The rubber components in the brake system are of a more pliable rubber. Once in contact with petroleum (like power steering fluid. The rubber will swell and deteriorate at a fast pace.. Learn your facts before such a foolish comment.
2016-04-02 04:27:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you add a petroleum based fliud aka oil to the brake system, it causes all the seals in the system to swell. More than likely, the seals in the master cylinder swelled and that is causing your lock up. You really did some damage and if you are really lucky all you will HAVE TO replace is the master cylinder. The system will HAVE TO be flushed and hopefully the calipers and EHCU for the ABS are ok. Take it to a reliable shop for repair before you do something else.
2007-11-04 05:45:58 · answer #3 · answered by metal706 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As others have stated any brake part that has rubber will need to be replaced. 2300 dollars sounds like a good guesstimate to me as I have seen this in my shop several times over the years. As far as the poster that gets fluid all over the engine, I wouldn't want him doing my brakes that's for sure. I always open the bleeder screws when pushing caliper pistons back.
2007-11-04 06:11:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i am a brake tech. and it is too bad your friend gave you bad advice. brake fluid is not the same and should never be mixed. to answer your question, without inspecting it or testing it, i believe it's because the trans fluid has expanded the rubber seals and locked up the system. it's hard to know how much damage is done but it sounds like you will have to replace some seals if not most of them. petrolium product, such as oil trans fluids, anything made with petrolium will swell rubber over time. please feel free to contact me.
2007-11-04 06:27:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
try draining the brake lines and the master cylinder and refilling in and bleeding the lines. If that doesn't work, you are going to need to have your brakes replaced. It's not a good idea to do just the front brakes. Best way to go is do all 4 brakes because then you don't have to worry about your back brakes locking up or failing. It's expensive, but it's worth it. You don't want to drive without our front brakes because if your back brakes fail, you are screwed.
2007-11-04 05:56:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
Big oops.....
I don't have any good news for you.
You will need a new master cylinder, two front calipers, two rear brake cylinders, ABS manifold, and all four flex lines at the wheels.
$2300.00
ALL the rubber seals in everything are ruined.
2007-11-04 05:42:24 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
now's probably not the time to tell you this, but you should never have to add fluid to your reservoir, if you think you need to you probably need brake pads.if not you have bigger problems. brake fluid dosent just evaporate.I hate it when people do that and I go to put pad's on, it all ends upon the floor and inside your engine compartment when I compress your calipers. as far as adding incompatable fluid. Yikes! spendie lesson! but now you know, dont add fluid! do brake job! or find leak! it's cheaper!
2007-11-04 06:08:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
ouch, that sucks.
your going to have to drain the brake fluid out, and refil and bleed it.
your going to need two people to bleed them.
2007-11-04 05:39:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
bad seals that is why they are not disengaging i think the other one that said 2300$ is right
2007-11-04 06:03:30 · answer #10 · answered by 1999 Nissan Skyline GTR Vspec 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋