Soft Brake Pedal - need shop in Queens NY

[flixbiz]

I drove my 1986 SL to NY on business and the brakes feel soft. The pads are fine, fluid level is OK I'm assuming master cylinder pass through. What do you guys think?

Does anybody know of a good shop in Queens, NY?

[GermanMarque]

"The pads are fine, fluid level is OK I'm assuming master cylinder pass through" Here's a few checks; If the fluid was escaping past the master cylinder seals, you would be loosing fluid in the resovoir, so unlikely. If when braking, try pumping the pedal rapidly, if it improves and you get a harder pedal, it's air in the system (your compressing it and getting a better pedal). If so bleed brakes with a clear plastic line and bleed until no more bubbles come down the clear tubing in the brake fluid. Start at the furthest caliper from the master cylinder and do all four. Try depressing the brake pedal with the engine off. Hold pedal under pressure, then start engine, the pedal should rise marginally under your foot with the increase in brake booster vacum. If it sinks further, sounds like a leaking brake booster bladder, which would display in spongy brakes. Do the simple tests first, at least you will be able to pin point the culprit, either air/fluid, or booster. Fluid should be changed anually as it's hydroscopic, absorbs moisture. When it gets hot the water vaporises and is harder to compress than fluid, it also lowers the boiling point of brake fluid, so change it regularly. Sorry for being so long winded! Hope that helps.

[flixbiz]

Excellent!
Thx that's helpful!