I'm at 82k miles now.

Last couple weeks, the brake pedal travels closer to the floor than normal. Can pump the brakes a couple times and it comes back up. No issues with stopping. E brake travel hasn't changed, so don't think drums are out of adjustment.

Afraid master cylinder is on way out. Anyone else have this issue?

 

Have you checked your brake fluid level?

 

Can be a few causes, old watery brake fluid compresses alot more, making pedal squishy, perhaps you managed to boil it in traffic or hard braking and now you have air bubbles. You can try the "reverse fast and brake hard" method a few times to adjust the drums and see if pedal feel improves. Id start at changing brake fluid. Wouldnt hurt to look around your master cylinder for seeping where the hard lines connect etc but i doubt its the master cylinder.

 

Manuals typically suggest 2-3 years for brake fluid. At 82k, you're probably due?

 

No visible leaks. I have done the reverse braking a few times. Manual says to flush brake fluid every 3 years, do that this coming Saturday.

 

Take the car to a brake specialist. I'm sure his sound advice is free.

 

I really believe a brake fluid flush will fix your problem but make sure your pads aren't worn down and just not at the sqealers quite yet, worn pads can give you a lot more brake pedal travel than you think, although the way you explain it happening suddenly over the last couple weeks is a bit strange.

Flush that fluid asap and report back to us.

 

Flush did it. We're back to normal. Took awhile to get used to the new peddle feel. Was probably longer than the last few weeks then! :P :P :P

 

Awesome! Did you drain the whole or just bleed one wheel at a time, topping off the mc as you went?

 

I usually do all maintenance myself. Given issues I've previously had with ABS systems, I'm scared of them, and took it to the dealer for a full flush. $120 isn't bad for something at a dealer!

 

huh.. i do brakes on my cars too and it's really not that complicated imho to do. i use an extractor that pulls fluid from the caliper side and those valved replenish bottles.