Gday guys, friend of mine is having a problem with his brakes on his 1984 1200 ute.
It has a brake booster and front discs, not sure what discs but it has PBR stamped on the back of the caliper.
The problem is that the the pedal goes flat to the floor and only a fraction of braking power is there. I took it for a drive and it is quite scary (kinda like only having front brakes) there is just no resistance and they dont lock up at all.
There is no leaks (fluid) visually but there mite be a air leak somewhere in the system.

This has only happend in the past week so it hasnt been an ongoing thing.

The thing that was noticable to me was when the pedal is pressed the idle drops, so this must mean that there is either something wrong with the booster valve on the master cylinder or manfiold vaccum yeah?

SHould i just bleed the brakes to see if there is air in the system? What are some other remedies of identifying the problem easier?
My mates cheap and doesnt want to take it into a shop, so ive been left with the task!

Cheers
Dave

Sounds like Master cylinder seals. Try a reconditioning kit if the bore doesn't look totally screwed.

If there doesn't appear to be leaks, and it's just started happening, and the reservoirs are full..It can only be the master cylinder.

The idle will always drop as the brake lights can load the alternator.

If it drops a lot. The vaccuum side of the booster or hose between the booster and the one-way valve is leaking.

Righto, the problem is that he doesnt want to pull apart the car or get it checked out which to me is kinda silly!
Could taking the master cylinder out/giving it a once over be say...a 1 day job?
Umm so it couldnt be a vacuum leak anywhere could it?
Bleeding the brakes wont acheive anything or lessen the possibilities will it?

Im gona have to tell him to take it in really coz i dont have the time/money to work on someone elses car if theres no rewards for me really!

Oh yeah and it drops considerably, say idles at 800 then it sounds like it would get down to 500 - 600, car sounds bout to stall if you keep pressing the brake.

Cheers
Dave

P.S Sorry for the late reply!

Even if the guy is a bit cheap, somethings like brakes on a car are pretty important to have working. I had a simmilar problem in my old sunny and from memory it was about $80 to have the booster reconditioned and it fixed it.

If it has a vacuum leak off the booster then the car will run rough.
Definately check out the master cylinder assembly.