Notices
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Brake Master Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 31, 2020 | 06:59 AM
  #1  
72Longboy's Avatar
72Longboy
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 68
Likes: 21
Brake Master Question

Good morning gents. Does anyone know offhand on the brake master cylinder for a 72 f250 two wheel drive if the front portion of the cylinder goes to the front or rear of the vehicle. I am losing some fluid out of there and no lines seem to be leaking so I am guessing wheel cylinders from sitting. Any help is appreciated.
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2020 | 10:40 AM
  #2  
1browski's Avatar
1browski
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 345
On my 70 f250 I have disc front rear drums. The rear part of the M/C, which is the larger portion, is for the front brakes. The front, or smaller portion, is for the rear drums. Do you have disc front?
On my 72 f250 4x4 with all drums it is the same. The larger portion for the front and smaller for the rear.
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2020 | 03:07 PM
  #3  
GLR's Avatar
GLR
FTE Legend
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,034
Likes: 2,410
From: NY and VA
Club FTE Gold Member
Also, Ford did have a problem with the cover gasket leaking. And, if with disc brakes the brake fluid will go down as the pads wear.
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2020 | 04:45 PM
  #4  
Jerry Merrill's Avatar
Jerry Merrill
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: CA
It is probably your master cyl that is leaking internally bypassing the piston.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2020 | 06:52 AM
  #5  
Eric Hamilton's Avatar
Eric Hamilton
Tuned
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 464
Likes: 80
From: Evansville, Indiana
My 71' F250 has the same. Front Disc and rear drums with the master cylinder cap leaking some. I have checked the lines and the power booster for any hints of leaks and found nothing. Supposedly the caps and rubber are known for constant seepage.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2020 | 11:28 AM
  #6  
72Longboy's Avatar
72Longboy
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 68
Likes: 21
I was able to get the leak sorted out. I have drums all the way around and the front portion of the master was for the rears. The culprit of the leak was the rear driver side wheel cylinder. I was also in for quite a surprise when I had to remove the entire axle in order to remove the drum, which fought me valiantly. I then took the truck for its first trip on the road in over 5 years. It was quite a momentous moment. I have been working every weekend on this thing for the last month+ to just get it worthy to go get gas under its own power.




 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2020 | 11:36 AM
  #7  
GLR's Avatar
GLR
FTE Legend
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,034
Likes: 2,410
From: NY and VA
Club FTE Gold Member
That's good news. Where are you in VA? I'm between Stuart and Martinsville. Lots of 67-72's down here. We also have a Virginia Chapter.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2020 | 01:08 PM
  #8  
72Longboy's Avatar
72Longboy
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 68
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by GLR
That's good news. Where are you in VA? I'm between Stuart and Martinsville. Lots of 67-72's down here. We also have a Virginia Chapter.
I am in Roanoke but the truck is kept in Buchanan (about 30-45 mins north of Roanoke).
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 1, 2020 | 03:36 PM
  #9  
GLR's Avatar
GLR
FTE Legend
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,034
Likes: 2,410
From: NY and VA
Club FTE Gold Member
The junction of 581 and I81 is about 75 miles from our house.
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2020 | 10:53 AM
  #10  
jsc83's Avatar
jsc83
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 206
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg
Originally Posted by 72Longboy
get gas under its own power.
Congratulations. That's a great feeling when all that work pays off.
Truck looks good there getting a sip of go juice.
So what's the project for THIS weekend? Never ends, right?
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2020 | 11:09 AM
  #11  
GLR's Avatar
GLR
FTE Legend
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,034
Likes: 2,410
From: NY and VA
Club FTE Gold Member
Gas is about 40 cents higher up there than down here
But, as mentioned it's a good feeling when it's "on the road again"
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2020 | 12:09 PM
  #12  
Old Hoss Mercury's Avatar
Old Hoss Mercury
New User
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
On a dual drum/disk master, the larger reservoir will be the drum circuit.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2020 | 09:58 AM
  #13  
72Longboy's Avatar
72Longboy
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 68
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by jsc83
Congratulations. That's a great feeling when all that work pays off.
Truck looks good there getting a sip of go juice.
So what's the project for THIS weekend? Never ends, right?
The project for this weekend is to try to tighten up the manual steering box. It will turn a good 1/4 to 1/2 a turn in either direction before it actually directs the truck. At this point the steering wheel is just for looks. It was quite terrifying driving down a one lane back road. I might also crawl back under the truck to see what is up the the shifter since it moves a great degree side to side while in gear. Also, the gas price is so high because that station was right off the interstate in kind of a dead zone.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2020 | 12:11 PM
  #14  
Christmas's Avatar
Christmas
Logistics Pro
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 442
When you tighten the box up make sure both front wheels are of the ground.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2020 | 12:17 PM
  #15  
GLR's Avatar
GLR
FTE Legend
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,034
Likes: 2,410
From: NY and VA
Club FTE Gold Member
And pointed straight ahead.

Also don't forget to check for worn/loose tie rod ends, drag link etc.
Seized or tight king pins will also cause wandering even when everything else is good
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ole Green 1978
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Feb 23, 2012 10:09 AM
walkman
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
13
Jan 14, 2009 05:02 AM
sedly
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
1
Dec 23, 2007 07:46 PM
WOFP
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Mar 27, 2006 08:03 PM
wa68ranger
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
5
Jan 9, 2002 02:48 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:04 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE