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Old May 2, 2015 | 03:43 PM
  #1  
gmammakn's Avatar
gmammakn
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Help with brakes

Time for you guys to bail me out (again)

Brakes have been getting mushy (2004 v10 with 230000 miles) - well one brake line rusted out and had it replaced. Brakes still mushy. I bled the brakes and got some air out. Better, but still mushy. Took back to shop that did the brake line and they checked for leaks - and more air and got none. Then they bled the ABS unit? Still mushy.

Anyway. Pedal goes to the floor. There is a definite pulsation. What next? I thought about caliper slide pin being stuck (this has happened before) but would it cause mushy brakes? Anything else to look for? I am debating tonight just getting new rotors/pads/caliper brackets/hardware and putting it all on. But I don't want to spend $300 and still have the same problem.
 
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Old May 2, 2015 | 04:49 PM
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Lots of things can cause mushy brakes. I have seen it caused by bad brake lines where the rubber is expanding under pressure. I have seen a bad master cylinder cause it as well. I know that isn't much help but I would do some more checking/troubleshooting.
 
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Old May 3, 2015 | 03:04 PM
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Might be worth your time to flush the hydroboost. I put new brakes on all corners and it made a big difference. Then a hydro line blew off for the steering (shared system with brakes) and when we topped the fluid off after replacing the hose I almost went through the windshield the first time I hit the brakes. Wasn't expecting it to firm the pedal up and lessen the required pedal throw for the same braking results.

At 230,000 miles the OEM rubber lines will also be something to look at. They deteriorate internally and allow fluid between the plies when braking. This usually ends up in a hanging brake as well, however there have been instances where there are no dragging brakes yet the soft lines are still falling apart inside.
 
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Old May 3, 2015 | 04:29 PM
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I don't think the v10 has hydroboost. This sounds like a classic bad master cylinder.
 
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Old May 3, 2015 | 09:11 PM
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Missed that part, hah. Silly gassers
 
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Old May 3, 2015 | 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Krazee Matt
Missed that part, hah. Simple gassers


fixed that for ya! Lol.
 
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Old May 3, 2015 | 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 05MilMachine
fixed that for ya! Lol.
Not even gonna argue that one. Well played sir.
 
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Old May 3, 2015 | 10:34 PM
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If you can work the pedal to the floor, it's always been the master cylinder for me. I would think the pulsation would most likely be coming from the classic warped rotors
 
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Old May 9, 2015 | 08:31 PM
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gmammakn's Avatar
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Update. Replaced the master cylinder and brakes got better but still not normal. Took back to shop and they bled the ABS. Said everything looked good but pedal feel not normal. They recommended new pads/rotors all around. Wanted $680 which I thought was reasonable. But decided to DIY.

On the way home from daughters track meet passed the Summit store. Decided to stop and get the power slot rotors instead of ordering on line. Thought I died an went to heaven when I went in, but that is another story. Got the rotors and went home. During the swap found the problem.

Rear caliper frozen. One pad gone, other perfect. Could not really compress the Pistons back in

Anyway. Thanks for the help. Master cylinder was bad. Passenger rear caliper frozoen. And for less than $200 I am back on the road and ready for vacation. OK, there was some swearing involved also. But over all went smooth (6 hours and 4 trips to the parts stores).
 
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Old May 9, 2015 | 08:52 PM
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Nice! Master cylinders last a lot longer these days. My old 83 third used to need one every other year
 
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Old May 9, 2015 | 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by gmammakn
Update. Replaced the master cylinder and brakes got better but still not normal. Took back to shop and they bled the ABS. Said everything looked good but pedal feel not normal. They recommended new pads/rotors all around. Wanted $680 which I thought was reasonable. But decided to DIY.

On the way home from daughters track meet passed the Summit store. Decided to stop and get the power slot rotors instead of ordering on line. Thought I died an went to heaven when I went in, but that is another story. Got the rotors and went home. During the swap found the problem.

Rear caliper frozen. One pad gone, other perfect. Could not really compress the Pistons back in

Anyway. Thanks for the help. Master cylinder was bad. Passenger rear caliper frozoen. And for less than $200 I am back on the road and ready for vacation. OK, there was some swearing involved also. But over all went smooth (6 hours and 4 trips to the parts stores).
I guess one problem wasn't enough--geez! Glad you got it nailed--that's kinda scary that many things hit at once.
 
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Old May 13, 2015 | 03:35 AM
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My question is how did the shop not find a siezed up caliper and dead brake pad, that is crazy unless they just werent telling you something. I would give them a call and let them know they need some training on some vehicle maintenance and inspection.
 
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Old May 13, 2015 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by F150in4x4
My question is how did the shop not find a siezed up caliper and dead brake pad, that is crazy unless they just werent telling you something. I would give them a call and let them know they need some training on some vehicle maintenance and inspection.
I know. But I also inspected the brakes and did not see it. It was the passenger side inside pad. I didn't know what the problem was until I took off the pads and saw one normal and one worn almost completely and uneven. I did not see it when it was on the truck. But you are right. They are pros and I am not.
 
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