Originally posted by woz:
Well it turns out that at some time in the past a chunk of metal (road junk) cut stuck between my SS break lines and one of the mounts...



Hmmm... Which line(s) were damaged? If the damage was just at one corner, i.e., only one line leaking, before your reservoir runs dry you'll still have the other brake curcuit working. Remember, the 'Tour has dual diagonal brake circuits, so a leak in one won't screw you immediately.

If your reservoir level went down appreciably at all, the dashboard light should've illuminated, but you didn't mention that. So, I see one of two possibilities:

--The road junk damaged both circuits at once (unlikely, but I'm leaving that open pending more info from you)

--Failed master cylinder. An easy test here is to start the vehicle and press VERY lightly on the pedal. If it steadily drops to the floor under light pressure, but stiffens up with quick pedal pressure, then bingo.

Great writeup on the downed motorcyclists, BTW. I'm an accident reconstructionist, and by far the scariest part of my job is the site inspection where I have to be out in the roadway. Even in daytime, wearing a bright orange vest, with law enforcement providing a lane closure, it's scary. People just don't bother to slow down. At night, especially out in the sticks, the danger increases a hundred times. Your actions saved lives!

//> //> //> //> //> Garrick 2006 Mazda6 Grand Sport wagon, silver, MTX I'll never forget you: Silver E0, #3895 of 6535, built 10/2/97