Re: 5kcs brakes dragging

[Frank Martin <FMartin@ithaca.edu>]

Steve,

It sure sounds like the master cylinder gone bad, especially with all
four wheels dragging. I had similar symptoms with an '89 100Q I had, was
the MC. The work the shop did _may_ have had something to do with it,
but probably only because the MC was on the verge of failing anyway.
What happens is that an internal part (don't recall the name at the
moment) in the MC doesn't release the pressure in the brake lines when
you release the brakes, so as soon as you use the brakes for the first
time during a drive the brakes begin to drag continually. This pressure
does leak down after some time with the car shut down, which is why you
can get in the car a while later and drive it again. But as soon as you
use the brakes...

Reports on the Q-list seem to say the MC is not worth rebuilding
yourself using a kit - mine was fixed with a supplier's rebuilt unit.
Worked fine. 

Anyway, that's my guess. Good luck. 

Frank M. 
Watkins Glen, NY, USA
'90 200TQ 10V (for sale) 


> Date: Tue, 29 Jun 1999 21:22:58 -0600
> From: Steve Sherman <steves@cyrix.com>
> Subject: 5kcs brakes dragging
> 
> An unusual thing happened to my wife's 86 5KTW today.  About 2-3 miles
> from home, they noticed a smell like burning brakes.  It was pretty
> strong so they walked back home...
> 
edited....
> 
> BTW - about 2-3 weeks ago I had a shop replace the rear pads and rotors
> (since I usually don't work on brakes).  Seems unlikely, but any chance
> that they might have done something to cause this?
> 
> TIA
> 
> Steve