I drove 300 miles Friday with no problems. Saturday morning drove around town with no problems. Sunday it took about 25 yards to stop. Same thing today and when I went down a hill it almost didn't stop. Fluid is good but I did find what looks like tire tread. 3 long (2-3 ft) pieces but only 1/8 inch wide. I don't feel safe to drive so I'll be working on it first thing in the morning. Any ideas what would cause the brakes to change so dramatically over 1 day.

 

You found tire tread? Like skid marks or actual chunks of tread came off the tires?

 

^ has me confused too.

Any fluid loss? Pedal sinking? More details would help. Where did you find these pieces, pictures might help us understand.

 

 

Sometimes I press the brake and it has resistance immediately but I have to stand on it to eventually stop. Sometimes I press it and there is no resistance until I've pushed it to the floor but it stops better then.

 

One of these pieces was between the alternator and fan. The others wrapped around some wires between the starter and passenger side wheel.

 

That looks like the accessory drive belt is coming apart. If you have hydraboost brakes the get their power from the power steering pump. If the belt is coming apart and not spinning the pump correctly your brakes will not work properly. Check the belt.

 

I will check it first thing in the morning. Thank you

 

that is pieces of the serpentine belt which is falling apart.

 

Thats exactly what that is,belt coming apart.

 

The belt was chewed up half way down. Big chunks missing. I changed it but now I have abs light. I read the manual and went reverse about 5 mph then braked a few times. My driveway was only long enough to do it a couple times. Now I disconnected the batteries. You guys really have been right about everything so I'm sure someone will know what to do about the abs light and the brakes feeling off still.

 

is the brake pedal very hard to step on? i bet the vacuum pump died.

 

RABS Flashout Codes

Since you disconnected the batteries any stored RABS codes are now erased. When/if the yellow ABS light comes again use the procedure to trigger the flashout codes. If the red Brake lamp is on, that is a whole other ball game.

 

I reversed to 5ph and braked 3 times. Drove to the store and back. No ABS light. It seems to brake different but only if I press it then let off and then try to press it again before I hit the throttle. It feels different but not like it was.

 

Here's the belt