# Mystery brake problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sephia, brakes, kia\ **Created:** [December 16, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-brake-problem/40831 "2009-12-16T03:20:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chasemorales](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b487fb/32.png) [@chasemorales](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chasemorales)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-brake-problem/40831/1 "2009-12-16T03:20:04Z")
Hello, my 2001 Kia’s brakes have an extreme amount of play in them. The brake pedal has to be within ~1" of the floor to even engage the brakes, when the pedal is pushed to the floor the car begins to slow down but only at a fraction of the rate it should. It takes WELL over twice the time to stop. The brakes have been bled by 5 separate auto shops in 2 different states. A cracked master brake cylinder was found and recently replaced, still no change. It has progressively gotten worse over the last 3 years. Every mechanic has recognized the problem, yet has no explanation. Thank you for your time and any suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-brake-problem/40831/2 "2009-12-16T03:27:37Z")
Does it have drum brakes on the rear? Are the self-adjusters working? How does the parking brake feel? After that, I would replace all the rubber flex lines in the system. One of them could be ruptured and blowing up like a balloon but not leaking. Next, take a second look at that master cylinder… ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-brake-problem/40831/3 "2009-12-16T04:48:17Z")
Does the hand brake work at all? In quite a few cars the rear brakes are adjusted by repeated use of the hand brake. I’d just pull it tight, then release it, a bunch of times. You can just sit in the car and do it anytime. Otherwise, I agree with Caddyman 100 percent. ---
**Author:** ![chasemorales](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b487fb/32.png) [@chasemorales](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chasemorales)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mystery-brake-problem/40831/4 "2009-12-31T15:51:01Z")
It turned out that the new master cylinder was faulty! The shop put in another one, the problem was solved instantly. Thanks for the advice caddyman/wentwest