So i now have my next question about my wife's car... It leaks brake fluid. Usually, it takes about two weeks (400-600 miles) to go from topped off to tripping the low fluid light... This last time, it only took 200 miles, so the leak is getting worse i think. Is there any common issue with these cars? Master cylinder issues? Maybe weak lines?

 

Look at the insides of each tire. If it is a wheel cylinder or caliper, the inside of the wheel will be wet or have streaks running radially on the inside of the tire. Also check each brake hose for signs of leaking. If none of these, then you probably have a leaking master cylinder.

Master cylinders tend to leak fluid into the booster where the fluid gets into the intake manifold and then burned by the engine. It makes a white smoke out the tailpipe.

 

Got the car up on a rack earlier, it turned out to be a wheel cylinder... When the cylinder went out in my truck, it was a result of the shoes being worn out, so i ordered a pair of cylinders and a shoe set... Damage was like 45 bucks plus tax...

 

Smart move. Odd are that the shoes were saturated by the leaking fluid anyway. And you always replace brake shoes or pads in pairs, never just one side or the other.

 

And be sure to bleed the brake shoes properly ...

 

Ended up being the little brass o ring having gone bad and leaking, new one later and no leak whatsoever...

 

good good good in the area

 

Good move and well done.
And while it was suggested that brakes be replaced in sets and that certainly is logical. I have found myself in the position of having to deal with brake fluid soaked brake shoes or pucks and it can be done.
Soaking them in Alcohol will leach the brake fluid out of brake shoes or pads. Regular rubbing alcohol or even better, purchased at a hardware in the Paint Department gets a better grade of it. A 24 hour soak has proven to be adequate. It is not something I do on a regular basis, no need for that, but I have done it when backed into a corner.