So I was driving the other day, my 87 Bronco that sits under a tree for about 362 days a year. At some point I noted the brakes were grabbing and pulling to the left, after which they were gone, as in pedal all the way to the floor. I pulled over using the parking brake (pedal-type). I checked (took me a while to figure out how to open the hood) and there was plenty of brake fluid. AAA said it'd be over 2 hours, so I decided to drive home using the parking brake. Somewhere along the line, I noticed the brakes were working again, and by the time I was home, it was as if nothing had happened! Any ideas?

Hi Sid,

Well, I do know a little about cars. If your car was pulling to the left then only one side was braking. My guess would be that the caliper was sticking due to corrosion. Maybe when you started driving you wore off whatever the corrosion was. You should get a brake inspection.

P.S. Please keep this post updated. I'm curious to know what it was.

It wasn't the pulling I was asking about, really: it was the fact that it evolved into no braking at all. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor without engaging; I stopped only because of the parking brake. It remained like that for a while, and then, when I (foolishly) starting driving and using the parking brake, it began to return. What would make there be no braking -- as if there were no brake fluid -- and then have it return?

Sid
You need your Brakes "Bleeding" Right away ! Also check the Fluid level and see if the seals are intact (they do perish over time) and you may have a "Long brake pedal" when the engine is switched off .This is because the brake servo has reduced the Pressure in the system
It Needs inmediate attention at a service station or a competent mechanic? And If you drive it to these people Unless they come out to fix it.. Drive like a pensioner at say 20mph Tops OK?

Thanks, bedstor. I most definitely plan to have it checked out.

you need at the very minimum to replace all the fluid in the system. its got water mixed in with the fluid. but better yet is to rebuild or replace the master cylinder and the brake fluid as well. the pulling is from the rust that has gotten on the rotors and brake drums. it will clear with driving. the seals are soft so thats why no petal and now its had some time to get sorta fresh fluid past them so now they will work. it needs to be gone though with new fluid and preferable new brake cylinders as well as the master. parked vehicles are bad for having bad brakes. be carefull .

I know it is possible for the caliper to stick which can cause your brakes to fail. You are a doctor. Think about how the body works. Use it or lose it. If you aren't keeping it oiled, moving and maintained then you are bound to have problems. I don't think you should drive the car until you get it checked out. I know Tuffy and Midas both do a great job. There could be a few reasons why your brakes aren't working. Have a professional look at your car and then give you their expert opinion. Please don't drive the car until you know what is wrong with it.

Dodge said about the drums seizing and grabbing (after laying up)
A big No No is to leave a vehicle with the Parking brake applied over a long period this Will bind to the drums and eventually freeze solid !(Have to apply Brute force to rectify if this happens ) And discs of the cast Iron type need to be gently given a few revolutions before the brakes are applied(to get rid of the surface rust)
And when you are putting a vehicle into long term storage the Parking brake can be left off and the Car raised on axle stands to keep pressure in the Tires and you or somebody can turn the road wheels by hand every few weeks Don't start the engine unless its not raised the vibration of the powertrain will almost certainly cause the vehicle to slip off the stands !