brake very soft
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Junior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 88
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From: Carlisle, Ia
brake very soft
been noticing that i am getting a lot more travel in my brake pedal and then there were next to no brakes. the old girl isn't leaking any fluid and is topped off. i went ahead and bled then with no improvement. what should i be looking at next?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 88
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From: Carlisle, Ia
The rear brakes are good and the parking brake is strong. When press the brake peddle it goes down half or a little over half way before anything happens and if I let off and press again the peddle gets hard and you then have to stand on the peddle to stop.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,418
Likes: 196
From: AZ
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Junior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 88
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From: Carlisle, Ia
What do you mean when you say gravity bleed? The truck is a 97. Is the zero loss booster a ford only part or something I can get through Napa?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,418
Likes: 196
From: AZ
In 97 they started putting on the zero loss brake boosters so you should be fine unless its bad. Gravity bleeding is just opening up the bleed valve and letting the fluid flow out by itself without someone pumping the brakes or using a mityvac to suck it out. Use a hammer and tap on the brake caliper, it helps get the air out. Let it sit for a while and repeat. I've had good luck with it.
Brad, I really don't know the difference in the boosters but first read about it on here years ago from RubberDuck (Cody). Maybe a search will bring it up, just a better brake booster.
Brad, I really don't know the difference in the boosters but first read about it on here years ago from RubberDuck (Cody). Maybe a search will bring it up, just a better brake booster.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 88
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From: Carlisle, Ia
I think I am going to replace the booster. It is the only thing that is left. The master isn't leaking and neither is the wheel cylinder or break lines. I have bleed the lines the old school way with no improvement and there is a vacuum on the booster. Did they put the zero loss on just the 97 or is it on the earlier models as well? Also is the zero loss a dealer only part or something I can get through Napa?
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
before replacing the booster, try removing the rear line off the master and capping it, then step on the brakes and see if the pedal is firm, or still soft.
this will eliminate the probability of the problem being in the rear circuit, specifically the RABS valve where i think your problem may be.
this will eliminate the probability of the problem being in the rear circuit, specifically the RABS valve where i think your problem may be.
