Brakes and more...

So I haven't posted anything in while, but 3 weeks from graduation and things are getting hectic!
1)Anyway, I recently had issues with brake fluid leaking somewhere. When I finally had time I took it in and was told it was the master cylinder. The part came in and the installed the new master cylinder. Things seemed to go well, until, I started noticing that sometimes the pedal would depress completely and the car would barely stop. I took it back, they bled the brakes and said everything was fine, there was some air in there...then 2 weeks later, i'm driving had slowed down to make a turn and the car DID NOT STOP...brake pedal to the floor. I used the emergency brake and it thankfully helped stop the car . I then had the same shop tow it on Monday and they said the brand new master cylinder that they had installed was defective and said they replaced it, this was yesterday. Today, i noticed that the brake fluid light coming on and off, as if the fluid was low. WTH is going on!?!?
2)I've also noticed a strange pop sound when turning in motion, i.e. around a corner. It doesn't do it the whole entire time, just as i turn. They said they did a rebalance on my car and would think they would have noticed something with the control arm or bearing.
3)This one has been a problem since i got the car. When going up hills there is a strange vibration/sound (kinda like a long fart), that seems to start from the front and moves to the back.
Any suggestions on either of these would help.

Is there remnants of fluid on the rims? You may need to replace the calipers.

The feeling when it goes right to the floor means that all that fliud is leaving(finding some way out). So it could be bad hose, leaky calipers, hoses that aren't on correctly. Even if you had air in the lines the car would still stop. The pedal would feel swashy and not work well but you would have something.

Could this be due to a defective master cylinder?

defective masters normally leak into the booster. if you have a 5spd, you could have a leaking slave cylinder too.

but the noise, sounds like a unbalanced tires. but without hearing it, cant really help you

What about the slave?

I believe the USA cars with manual gearbox share the brake fluid resevoir with the clutch fluid resevoir....so check that your clutch system is not leaking the fluid if yours is a 5 speed manual.

So i replaced the master cylinder, apparently that was the issue, after posting on this thread. That was the first one. That totally went defective and replaced again. Mind you the mechanic apparently kept putting refurbished/remanufactured master cylinder in there. So this will be the third replace. This time, I bought brand new master cylinder, rather than opting for the cheaper refurbished/remanufactured one. Its arriving on Friday. I've had to refill the brake fluid every 3 days or so for the last couple of weeks. I'm planning on driving approx. 40 miles today to pick up a friend from airport, will checking the master cylinder for fluid level suffice driving or should i stay off the roads completely???

best to use another vehicle. if you have to drive this one, use engine braking as much as possible.

Your brake fluid could be sucked into the motor via the brake -booster vacuum pipe..
Check the inside of that pipe & it must be clean

Arrange a 'hit' on your mechanic.

Buy a Bently Manual and become your mechanic. I think you would do a better job.

I would suggest not driving it. Could get the pants sueded off of you if you get into a accident while knowingly having faulty brakes.

Originally Posted by BMWFatherFigure

Arrange a 'hit' on your mechanic.

unless the mechanic didnt charge for it. then its gravy

so we replaced the master cylinder and everything seemed to be fine until yesterday...when the brakes started acting up again. this time there is no fluid missing (before it was being sucked into the booster)...after searching around the internet, apparently i may need a brake booster servo (?). the only place that i found such an item is here. anyone familiar with brakes pulsating and this servo being the reason for it. its almost like the brakes have a mind of their own, but only when i apply pressure...its like the car wants to engage the brakes, causing the pulsating effect. http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...1157416:dunno:

Do you have a lot of white exhaust? Even when the vehicle is warm? If so it means there's fluid in the booster getting sucked up by a vacuum line.

Originally Posted by Try&CatchMy325

Do you have a lot of white exhaust? Even when the vehicle is warm? If so it means there's fluid in the booster getting sucked up by a vacuum line.

Not that I have noticed. theres just the usual stuff that comes out when its 12 degrees outside. the issue has to be something to do with the brakes and the brake fluid level has not changed at all...could it be something to do with the ABS??

I don't think so. Abs checks out on start up and from your symptoms it doesn't sound like a abs problem. Pull off the top vacuum line and see of there's fluid in there. That's my best guess.

Originally Posted by Try&CatchMy325

I don't think so. Abs checks out on start up and from your symptoms it doesn't sound like a abs problem. Pull off the top vacuum line and see of there's fluid in there. That's my best guess.

I'm not exactly sure where that is, but i can pass this on to my mechanic. would this be caused by a faulty master cylinder? What will i need to replace? sorry if i'm asking moronic questions...

wld stay off the roads for sure..had a miata that had similar issues and the brakes went out on me on the hw didnt know untill i was getting off the exit n had to pull the ebrake..it rly sucks lol

go out and pull the fuse for the abs. drive around the block (of course keep at lower speeds) and slam on the brakes. if it pulses, then something is happening within the booster. if no pulsing, then theres air in the abs block and needs to be bled/reset

ABS blocks normally have a bleed screw on them.. or atleast my newer vehicles did. If I were you I'd do what downhiller suggested, if it is still air in the system then buy a gallon of brake fluid and keep bleeding till the gallon is gone ha. I had to do that with my clutch system when I replaced the clutch master and slave after the clutch job. An air powered bleeder works great too.

For brake bleeding (with two people) try: Inside person Pump;pump;hold - Outside person releases fluid and then closes bleed nipple. Inside person pump;pump;hold - Outside person releases and then closes etc etc etc until you are happy no further air in system. Also bleed master (before you get to the pump pump hold bit by: Inside person hold pressure on pedal - Outside person relaese and resecure a bleed nipple FRONT AND REAR. When re secured then release padal and repeat a few times. Usually works.