86 DL sedan brake problems

Months and months ago my 86 DL sedan was loosing brake fluid for some
reason. I never could find the leak. It stopped losing fluid all of
the sudden after filling the reservoir a few times with maybe 8 oz.
total of fluid.

Now, several months later the brake pedal went way down suddenly as my
wife was driving the car and coming to a stop. It pushes very easily
and the brake failure light is now on. The car still stops but only
by pushing the brake pedal down a lot further.

Could this sudden occurrence have been from the loss of a brake pad?
I mention that because when I tap on the pedal quickly, I hear kind of
a knocking. Should I look for something else?

There does seem to be a little leakage at the bottom of the power
brake booster but not any kind of steady leak. I don't see (yet) any
dampness around any of the wheels or lines.

Before I get started checking each wheel, one by one, does anyone have
a suggestion on what I should check first?

Thanks,

Jay

861 doesn't belong in my email address...

 

Your master cylinder has failed and the vacumn booster is sucking out the
brake fluid through the rear seal. Don't drive the car until it is
repaired.

Harold

 

Thanks so much for the warning and heads-up. I'll get right on it.

Jay

861 doesn't belong in my email address...