Technical Complete brake failure 😱

[CraigUK74]

Hi, yesterday our 59 plate Abarth had total brake failure on the way home from the lakes. Luckily we were doing 20mph and there was a car park on the left so to avoid crashing managed to safely handbrake it into the car park.....

So we were told by breakdown it's probably the brake master cylinder, it's being recovered to my friends garage, I've looked online and the Genuine Abarth one is going for about £280 - £500 with 14 day delivery in some cases. ECP don't stock the although GSF Car Parts can get me one for about £220 pretty quick.

It's it an Arbarth part or will a normal fiat 500 part the job?

Safety is priority as it scared the s**t out of me, thanks all for the advice.

Regards

Craig

 

[ZaphodB]

It's it an Arbarth part or will a normal fiat 500 part the job?

You've already found out how scary suddenly no brakes at all is, cough up for the correct part is my humble advice.

You don't f*** around with braking

I'd also be properly diagnosing it before ordering parts on an off the cuff comment.

Has it not just burst a pipe?

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

You've already found out how scary suddenly no brakes at all is, cough up for the correct part is my humble advice.

You don't f*** around with braking

I'd also be properly diagnosing it before ordering parts on an off the cuff comment.

Has it not just burst a pipe?

Hmm. one burst pipe should leave the other half of the tandem system still working. So pedal will have a long throw and brakes will be very poor but should still stop you, although it will be an "interesting" experience.

I remember my first encounter with "no brakes" was when, as a young trainee, I did my first big brake job at home. Drove the car backwards out into the road and the pedal went to the floor. It was a terrifying experience for a young lad. Almost as soon as I'd done it I realized it was because I hadn't pumped the pedal after doing the callipers and a couple of stabs at the pedal restored braking. The initial terror, when you push the pedal and it goes to the floor while the car continues to roll, has to be experienced to understand.

 

[ZaphodB]

Hmm. one burst pipe should leave the other half of the tandem system still working. So pedal will have a long throw and brakes will be very poor but should still stop you, although it will be an "interesting" experience.

True - depends how un-bled the other circuit is too, or it could just be out of fluid in the reservoir....

So important to have the brake system serviced regularly , not just check pads and discs.

What I was getting at is determine precisely what's wrong before ordering parts.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I would say a burst pipe is more likely. Dual circuit brakes are pretty well proofed against total failure. A single circuit failure would be bad enough. Ive had two total brake failures in my 1.8 million miles. First was a burst flexi on a single circuiyt syste,, second was a weld failure on a repaired brake back plate allowing tthe adjuster to move and a rear piston to pop out. My second one was 70mph and required a full stop to avoid a stone wall at the end of a road. Gears and hand brake worked with a few feet to spare. Both old and knackered cars years ago.

It would be very beneficial to find out exactly whst happened here, if not vital to forum members. May be pedal pushrod or pedal failure? Im glad it was low speed and non accident. I never compromise on brakes now. If it doesnt deliver 100% and balance isnt within 5% Im not happy. Generally I change flexi pipes at 10 years. I think they will do longer but dont ever again want to find my foots gone to the floor.

I concur with ZapodB, get the correct original or OEM parts. Always change everything when servicing them and do both sides on every job.

 

[CraigUK74]

Brilliant advice guys and girls many thanks, the car is still in the lakes, it being dropped off at my friend's auto repair garage Monday.

We only got the car 3 weeks ago off a private seller and he did say it has been sitting since Xmas not used. One thing we did notice was when reversing the brakes would sometimes screech and was difficult to to reverse.

Thank god we decided to visit a small town or it would of happened on the M6.

Money isn't questionable but I don't want pay £500 when I can get the same part Genuine for about £290. I've found this site do they sell genuine stuff?

Genuine Abarth Brake Master Cylinder - 500 Abarth

This is a brand new and genuine brake master cylinder to fit the following vehicle: Abarth 500 77364662

www.abarthtuning.com

I did check the brake fluid and it was fine so I don't think it's burst a pipe.

I really appreciate everybody's advice I can't thank you enough as it was terrifying.

Regards

Craig

 

[ZaphodB]

I've found this site do they sell genuine stuff?

https://www.abarthtuning.com/produc...:CAqmBnQ52dSOuIaSTf-eFDD3V3HAXaq89xC1GWZwL9C8

personally would have no qualms at all buying from them..........

........but find out precisely what's broken first !!

 

[CraigUK74]

personally would have no qualms at all buying from them..........

........but find out precisely what's broken first !!

Fantastic advice right there probably nothing to do with it but every now again we get a............ beeeeeeeep "ESR Hill Start Unavailable" or something similar.

Thanks again peeps