Sunday, June 4, 2023
Today I was going to finally wash the Plymouth and perhaps take my wife for a ride into town. It started up just fine. But when I prepared to back out of the garage, I hit the brake pedal and it went effortlessly all the way to the floor. YIKES!!!
For the first time since I’ve owned the car, I removed the top cover for the master cylinder — and it was bone dry. WTF???
Now I remember last fall seeing what looked like a drip of brake fluid leaking from the brake light switch mounted on the front of the master cylinder. My guess is that the switch was leaking for a significant amount of time; I just never believed there was an actual leak before.
I filled the master cylinder up with brake fluid; unfortunately, the pedal did not respond. I think that the master cylinder was empty so long that the rubber seals dried out. There **may be** a chance (albeit slight) that the addition of brake fluid might “plump up” the rubber seals, and the pedal may return its function.
But frankly, I’m NOT counting on that to happen.
Tonight I ordered a replacement master cylinder for the Plymouth. It will be here in a week or so. I also need to order a new brake light switch.
My goal is to get it installed as soon as possible. Hell, we’re already in the top of June, and I haven’t had the Plymouth out on the road the first time this season.
I need to prioritize my to-do list on the Plymouth. I have so damn much to do. Ugh!! More updates to come …