Brake problem

[Millsy]

hi guys,

my girlfirend has just text me saying it feels like her brakes are about to stop working, she says the pedal nearly goes all the way down with out really doing much?

she says it feels like the cables gonna snap lol, its a mk1 ph3 1.2, can someone explain briefly how these work?

im assuming the footbrake is connected directly to the master cylinder which controls the fluid control and pressure to the front disks?
are the rear drums also controlled by this?

sorry for my ignorance

also i suggested checking her brake fluid level as i thought maybe there isnt any in there?

any other ideas as to what it could be?

cheers guys

 

[Millsy]

update, just got her to check the level and she says it doesnt look like theres anything in there, am i right in thinking if she just fills it up to the MAX mark it will solve the problem?

is there any particular way in which to fill it up e.g fill it then turn the engine over then pump the brake etc???

 

[john.med]

fill her up, make sure it's the right type of fluid.

...and then find out where the fook all the fluid's gone!

 

[Dan@SJM]

sounds like a wheel cylinder has gone, any fluid down the back of the drum on the back?

 

[Millsy]

aahhhh cheers dan didnt think of that, was thinkin s**t where's it all gone, they havnt been great for ages but this morning she put her foot down and barely anything happened.

john will she easily see which is the right type for her car if she goes to halfrauds or somewhere?

never had to do mine so didnt know there were different types :S