I wonder if this brake problem has happened to anyone.

One evening the brakes were fine - not too much travel, pulled the car up quickly. The next morning I noticed that the pedal had more travel than normal, but after 10 minutes it got worse; it was going almost to the floor, with just a bit of contact right at the bottom.

I don't have a puller so I'm going to get towed to the repair shop tomorrow, where hopefully all will be revealed.

Your problem is either the brake master cylinder rubber plungers, if the fluid resevoir is still full, or a leaking wheel rear brake cylinder or caliper on the front. Either of the last 2 will have brake fluid dripping from the brake drum or rotor and consider those shoes/pads toast. This also indicates the likelihood that the other axle is about to go, so you may require an full brake job. I agree, it's best to do the first level problem determination before an over zealous garage takes you to the proverbial cleaners. Good luck and hopefully this is not too serious. I worked on a 39 year old 544 last week and the owner was surprised that the car wasn't in tip-top shape. You must be very pro-active to prevent you from being taken advantage of.
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Cam a.k.a. CVOLVO.COM

Tom;

You did not state this, but did you check your fluid level first, or do you always have your car towed to a shop for routine maintenance?

cheers

It turned out that both brake shoes had collapsed and the handbrake linkage had also become detached.

Of course I checked the fluid levels! Routine maintenance on Amazon drums depends on whether you can get the damn things off. I couldn't, and nor could 2 local garages I tried. Hence the tow to the one place I knew would cope with them successfully.

Yes, I agree. It would be nice if everyone in this world had a good knowledge of vehicle maintenance and the tools to carry it out.

I'm with you Ron on the low/out of fluid as being the problem...

But funny you mentioned having a car towed for routine stuff... the 164 I have came with about 30 years worth of reciepts, including at least 2 reciepts for a tow, followed by a $1 charge to clean/tighten battery cables.

What to do...?

-Matt