Question1995 Nissan Maxima GLE, 106K miles.
Saturday, I took my car to NTB for a vehicle complete check. I was told that someone had put transmission fluid in the brake fluid resevoir. It got into the master cylinder and the brake lines. They bled the lines to check. They said it is throughout the brake system and everything will have to be replaced >2400.00.
Just before I went to NTB, I went to Meineke to get an estimate on brakes, muffler and shocks and struts if I needed them. Over the phone the estimate I had been given from them was about $250 for the muffler and brakes. They took my car around to the back of the building even though a bay was available out front. They closed the bay door. Customers do not have access to this part of the building.
When the guy came out 30 minutes later he told me the "bad " news. I declined the service and it took another 20 minutes for them to put my car back together to give to me. That was when I went to NTB for a second opinion and they found the fluid problem that Meineke never mentioned.
I don't know who to believe. The car drives fine, no major change in how it brakes. The last time the car was actually serviced was more than 6 months ago. Could I really have driven it this long without serious problems braking by this point ( about 4000-5000 miles later) or should I suspect that Meineke did this in retaliation for not having the car serviced there?
Anyway, what can I expect if this is true and should I just trade it in at this point? I had hoped to keep it another year but if these repairs are really needed, the car is not worth that at this point.
Thank you for weighing in on this.
AnswerCate,
If someone put transmission fluid in the master cylinder you will have to replace all the soft componenets of the system. But, there are those that can accomplish the task for a lot less than you indicate. Call around to the parts stores and ask for prices on the following:
Rebuilt calipers for the front, there are two. A rebuilt master cylinder and a new set of rear brake seals.
Now, this assumes that the car does not have anti-lock brakes. Basically, the system needs to be flushed out and the soft rubber parts need to be changed out. You see, brake components like those mentioned above degrade when exposed to oil, transmission fluid or power steering fluid. SO, if it was in there you have to get it done before a seal fails and your brakes go out. I can't think of someone doing this out of revenge since you would not let them take advantage of you. But, there are those kinds of people out there. And, it might be someone you know if the car was left open? I had a dealership loosen my door bolts since they were angry with me over some warranty work they performed on my car. They broke my car so I called them on it and had them do it over and that is when I found the door latch bolts loose. So, stranger things have happened and I would not take anything to that shop ever again.
