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Soft Brakes

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Old Sep 27, 2012 | 07:50 PM
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Soft Brakes

Hey all, I have been reading and searching the forums and just need a little more info. My brakes are soft and sometimes go to the floor. I have checked front and rear, adjusted rear, bled brakes, and no change. When the truck is not running I have a nice hard pedal but as soon as I start it they go soft. If I pull the booster line with the engine running they firm up again. I am thinking Bad booster???
 
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Old Sep 27, 2012 | 08:08 PM
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Sounds more like a bad master rather then booster, seams booster is doing as designed.

That said you have to check the rubber lines, make sure they don't bulge out under pressure.
Calipers original? Might be time for fresh set.

Test the master, solid plug both line ports and with the motor running is the pedal still soft/goes to floor?

If it does the problem is in the master, needs bleed or is bypassing pressure.

If the pedal isn't soft/doesn't go to the floor with ports solid blocked, you know the problem is down stream of the master.
 
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Old Sep 27, 2012 | 09:03 PM
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Thanks, I will do some more testing this weekend and post back the results
 
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Old Sep 29, 2012 | 06:34 PM
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OK, UPDATE!!!. It failed inspection. I put in a new master cylinder and now the brakes are back to normal. But the ****** that inspected it failed her for all 4 tie rod ends. I have an appointment monday with the dot so they can check them. They are all less then 30 days old.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2012 | 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by vtjvt
OK, UPDATE!!!. It failed inspection. I put in a new master cylinder and now the brakes are back to normal. But the ****** that inspected it failed her for all 4 tie rod ends. I have an appointment monday with the dot so they can check them. They are all less then 30 days old.
If they are less then 30 days old then why, what was the reason given for them failing?

Even the cheapest bottom shelf total crap tie rods ends sold, they wouldn't have notable play in them at 30 days after had been installed new.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2012 | 06:57 PM
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Tie rod ends? You have 2. I bet you failed for ball joints. You have 4 of those.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2012 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by dustybumpers
Tie rod ends? You have 2. I bet you failed for ball joints. You have 4 of those.
There is a total of 4 tie rod ends in the steering linkage but have a feeling you might be right, ball joints as the reason for failing rather then tie rods.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2012 | 07:09 PM
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That's easy to check. jack up the truck until the tire just leaves the ground. Take a large bar, and set under the tire. Have a friend raise up and down on the bar while you watch the ball joints. You will see them move if bad.

If there are grease fittings in them, pump them up, sometimes that will tighten them enough to pass.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 01:12 PM
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No, ball joints are fine, It failed for all 4 tie rod ends. 2 inner and 2 outer. Main reason is that the guy is a IDIOT. His reason is because they pivot in the socket. No side to side or up and down play. just pivot. (kinda like they are designed to do) Oh well I have a opiontment monday with the state to have them check the truck and to file a complaint on the guy.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by vtjvt
No, ball joints are fine, It failed for all 4 tie rod ends. 2 inner and 2 outer. Main reason is that the guy is a IDIOT. His reason is because they pivot in the socket. No side to side or up and down play. just pivot. (kinda like they are designed to do) Oh well I have a opiontment monday with the state to have them check the truck and to file a complaint on the guy.

Yea that's crap, guy has no business inspecting vehicles.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 01:56 PM
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What state is this??? Ridiculous inspection junk...
 
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Old Sep 30, 2012 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Ole Blue (Pete)
What state is this??? Ridiculous inspection junk...
the state is Utah.

This guy has been in business for 16 years. I am hoping he won't make it to 17. He failed all 3 of the cars before me for really stupid crap. and even told one lady she would be ok driving with her car expired because she was pretty and the cops would let her go.
 
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