What could cause a low brake pedal? I have had that problem for years, even with new pads. It seems to be getting critical now where the stopping power only comes when pedal is almost to the floor. Its not the vacuum problem where brakes are hard to push (they are easy to push). The Rotors, pads, cylinders etc are good, rotors never been turned and they have maybe 10K miles on them.

Should I change the brake booster and master cylinder? My mastercylinder is about 4 years old. However, the brake booster is original and has maybe 300,000 miles on it, never been changed.

Autozone has a booster WITH cylinder for less than a booster alone (?). Anyway, whatcha think? Will this help it?

PS 1977 Ford F150 Ranger XLT 2wd, 400, C6

 

first step i'd take is make sure your rear brakes are adjusted properly. you can try going to a parking lot and putting the truck in reverse and go ~10mph and hit the brakes pretty good a few times to see if they'll self adjust, if not than pull the drums and check it out, and bleed the system

 

I have done that, the drums are very good shape, no leaks. I had all new stuff put in a few years ago, and truck is a weekend driver now, fixing to go back in service for me full time

I have always had the low pedal problem, the only thing never changed on this truck is the brake booster and proportioning valve.

 

well, i was having a problem where i had to pump the brakes to get any decent pressure, and bleeding was the solution. worth a shot i reckon

 

Bleeding didnt help the last few times I bled them. I am going to go with the new booster and cyliner anyway, they are almost rusted through in some spots. I want the peace of mind I guess. I will do a full bleed after these are replaced. I was just wondering if this is a common symptom of a bad booster (low pedal)

 

Why did my post get moved? This pertains to 73-79 fords, so whats with the move?

 

It is a brake specific problem and not a 73-79 specific problem.
It could possibly have the wrong pedal rod that isn't actually pushing the master cylinder until you get to the bottom.
Also, pedal height has alot to rear shoe adjustment.

 

Ok, LX Thanks. Well as I look at the 73-79 forum, I see "lug nuts" thread (wheel specific), brake lights problem (electrical specific), california style mirrors (accessory specific). You see what I am saying? There are a lot of things "not specific" to 73-79 fords.

Of course my thread is specific to the 73-79 ford, just as the lug nut thread is specific (or is it?)

I have been a paying member of this site for 3 years (non paying member for 4 years) and everytime I post, I get moved, or a moderator asks me to please post somewhere else, or remove this picture, or dont say that, or whatever.

Ken, you gotta help me out here. If my thred gets moved then almost any other thread could be "classified" differently.

What exactly is the 73-79 forum for if every mechanical, electrical, suspension subject is fair game to be moved to another thread?

 

PS I removed ONE pic out of my sig already

I didnt know dialup existed anymore