No Break Pressure Help!!!

[NickAlero2000]

This afternoon I pulled out of the school parking lot going home. I went to break and the pedal just dropped to the floor!
I pumped the break to regain pressure and it worked only slightly. Upon inspection of my break fluid resevoir I found I was completely empty, when only a few weeks ago I was fine.
I put in more fluid and still have no pressure, so I'm thinking I need to bleed the brakes, but the more urgent issue is determining where the leak is in the brake lines.
My question ultimately is should I bleed the brakes and is there a common spot for the Alero to have a leak in the brakelines?
ANY input would be appreciated!!!

[nickbain]

check around all four tires for any brake fluid on the rims, sounds like you got a bad caliper or fitting, or a rotted out brake line.

[[ion] C2]

i just replaced my front right caliper

1. look for a wheel that tends to be dirtier than others, or has fluid all over it, look for puddles of fluid at certain wheels where you park.
2. park in a dry area, push the brakes down AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, move the car, look for a puddle and find out where it came from
3. check around the brake reservoir for wetness anywhere

4. take it in to a brake shop and have them check it out. brakes are kind of important.

[Redog]

I vote for the bad caliper too.

I would take it in, you probably have air in the ABS system now, gotta get that all out, or you're brakes could lock up and the worst time and cause an accident.

If you are going to bleed them yourself, there should be a plug on the back of each caliper

[Gr1m]

get under the car and look for grease on the inside of each of your rims, if one or more has a lot of grease buildup, that caliper is shot and is leaking your brake fluid, if not your master cylinder could be shot

[[ion] C2]

For some reason I got two PMs from super white alero1 saying:
If you have drum brakes take off the drum and check the wheel cylinder.
Uhh..

[GoldStar611]

C2;341840']For some reason I got two PMs from super white alero1 saying:

Uhh..

yah man, the spare in your trunk might need a new drum. :lol:

[Bad99Olds]

did u check ur cross drilled brake lines?

[super white alero1]

I don't get what so funny. 99-04 alero also came with drum brake, and if the wheel cylinder (http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/thumb/N2020154763PBR.JPG) is leaking then you will not see it as it is trapped in the drum (http://brakeperformance.com/site/images/diagram-drum.jpg).

Sorry if that didn't help, now i realize why i left this site.

[[ion] C2]

You left this site because you send random private messages to people?

NickAlero2000 is the one with the brake leak. He is the one who made this thread. You sent me a private message telling me where to check for brake leaks.

You sent me a PM, that right there makes no sense; I believe your intent was to post your message it in this thread. Unless you don't know how forums work...

[AftermathAlero]

You need a new master cylinder

[Cliff8928]

I don't get what so funny. 99-04 alero also came with drum brake, and if the wheel cylinder (http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/thumb/N2020154763PBR.JPG) is leaking then you will not see it as it is trapped in the drum (http://brakeperformance.com/site/images/diagram-drum.jpg).

Sorry if that didn't help, now i realize why i left this site.

correction, 03-04 were the only years that could have had rear drums.

[TheEdgeofSanity]

^^nooo.....i was looking at a '99 that had rear drum brakes.

[Vinalero]

^^ Like Cliff said, 4 wheels disk brake were standard on Alero's from 1999 t0 2002

[NickAlero2000]

OK,
my auto teacher looked at my car...
both front calipers are shot!
I'm taking this oppurtunity to get the R1 Concept rotors, all new ceramic pads, and obviously all new calipers.
I can afford it, so I figure, why not do everything?
Thanks for all your help everyone!

[NickAlero2000]

and can a mod move this thread to general performance, i think it would benefit everyone.
thanks!

[NickAlero2000]

ok!
I have brake pressure again!
R1 Rotors, red calipers, ceramic pads!
Pics once I get the rims (2 weeks)!!!
I would recommend the R1s to anyone who needs new rotors, they are cheap and I can stop on a dime!
EX) Light turns yellow, i debate blowing through, see cop on other side(going 30 less than 20 feet from the light) hit the brakes, dead stop!
now my car is back on the road! No more minivan! lol

[Kilroy]

C2;341840']For some reason I got two PMs from super white alero1 saying:

Uhh..

Of course you got two PM's, one for the right wheel, and one for the left wheel. :haha: