ok..im pretty clueless when it comes to brake systems so heres my problem and question. my brakes suddenly went very squishy and now theyre very unresponsive..emergency break works fine. when the car is stopped and i push the peddle down, theres a weird hollow sound, like air being blown threw a straw that stays on as long as the peddle is down..so, im thinking master cylinder? am i wrong?

 

based on experience a booster failure will make the pedal stiff. sounds like a master cylinder to me. you havent noticed any leaks?

 

X2,look around the underside of the master Cylinder for any fluid.

 

no..checked for leaks everywhere..that noise is just so weird..kinda like metal on metal but when the car is not moving..i was thinking master cylinder too. i hope so anyway!

 

if you hold the pedal down with steady pressure it should not leak off at all. you have no leaks therefore the master cylinder must be bypassing. how many miles on your ride?

 

180k miles..1990 4.0..

 

they do wear out and after 180k miles it stands to reason the master could be bad ya know? does the pedal bleed off?

 

bleed off?

 

when you are say setting at a red light holding the brake. does the pedal go down slowly while your foot is on the pedal?

 

yeah...and it goes down quick if i push it hard...right to the floor..so next question..how hard is it to change?

 

Check the rear wheel cylinders, and front calipers. You may have a leak from one of them.

 

gravy train with biscuit wheels. provided the lines and bolts come off without a fight, 30 minutes tops, make sure you bleed the brakes real good. they are notorius for being tough to get all the air out.

 

my resevoir is totally full..hasnt changed a drop..but the pedal feels like no fluid..

 

most certainly a bad master cylinder.

 

thanks guys...now its parts ordering time!