Temporary brake failure Any ideas as to the cause?

[New Forest Terrier]

A total refurbish of the brakes this morning at Discount Trucks. Gerry and Fred thought about it and reckoned the cause was probably master cylinder seals as well. So a second hand master cylinder, new brake fluid and new brake pads all round. It certainly stops well now although it always did, (most of the time). Not bad since it has needed only one set of front brake pads in six years. They would have been due to be changed for the next MOT anyway.

[alan]

For stopping an auto Bongo with no brakes, you should be able to ram it straight into L & Hold, (1st gear effectively) and it will progressively change down as soon as the road speed suits, thus (in theory) not damaging either the engine or gearbox. Then handbrake as you suggest.

yeh that works mine when a few yeh back on hoilday truned out to be sticky slider

[teenmal]

A total refurbish of the brakes this morning at Discount Trucks. Gerry and Fred thought about it and reckoned the cause was probably master cylinder seals as well. So a second hand master cylinder, new brake fluid and new brake pads all round. It certainly stops well now although it always did, (most of the time). Not bad since it has needed only one set of front brake pads in six years. They would have been due to be changed for the next MOT anyway.

I am very surprised that a reputable garage would use "a second hand master cylinder" and not a new or refurbished unit.

Especially with the type of non braking problem that you have experienced.

[New Forest Terrier]

Don't worry it won't be a bit of old tat off a wreck. They keep a stock of checked and refurbished parts and just swap them rather than wait weeks. Same principle as Land Rovers, ours had the front lights, grille and gearbox off one that got stuck in a local multistory car park and ripped its roof off.

[teenmal]

HI I am not worried, but glad to see that the garage have a refurbishing facility, as a matter of interest and for future reference could you tell us the price of a refurbished brake master cylinder.

Thanks.