Re: Driving With Two Brakes

In article <R%xJj.141$%41.48@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>, Neil wrote:
>What are the dangers of driving with two brakes? I just found out that
when 
>my ex-wife took my teenage son's car in to be repaired last week, they
said 
>there was a leak in the rear wheel cylindar, which was causing brake
fluid 
>to go onto the brake shoes, causing there to be no rear brakes. She
declined 
>to have it repaired because of the cost.
>
>How dangerous is it to drive with front brakes only? Seems to me that the

>brakes could lock up or the car could spin or something like that if one
has 
>to stop suddenly when driving at freeway speeds. Any input is
appreciated.

IMO it's idiotic. At some point the condition may become bad enough that
the pedal goes to the floor when braking. Sure, as a split system it's
possible to pump and still have front brakes. 

If a shop is charging 'too much' just replace it yourself. It's not that
hard to replace a wheel cylinder and shoes. It will require learning how
to bleed brakes (not that hard) and maybe a couple special drum brake
tools to make the job easier. (not that one can't do it with regular
tools, it's just not as easy)