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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Brake Failure Question

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Old Sep 10, 2022 | 06:54 AM
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My93F250NH's Avatar
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Brake Failure Question

1993 F250 4WD, 351W A week or so ago one of the rear brake lines rusted through. Fluid poured out, no brakes. etc.I had a new line installed and all was well. Today, a few days after getting it back, I pushed the pedal real hard at a stop. After a second or two it dropped to the floor all of sudden! Luckily I was close to home and could make it back with ebrake. So I was expecting to come home and see the master cylinder out of fluid. But it's not, it's full. And I don't see a leak under the truck. When I push the pedal, it drops to the floor and if I hold it there hard, there's a little braking action, but minimal. So, since it doesn't appear to be a leak, what's my next most obvious "It must be this" repair?
 
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Old Sep 10, 2022 | 07:41 AM
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Probably that master cylinder is bad. Usually what happens, when you lose a line and the pedal travels further than normal, the seals get damaged. So that is where i would start. Usually easier to initially bleed them outside of the truck. Lool for a YouTube video about "bench bleeding a master cylinder ".
 
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Old Sep 10, 2022 | 07:43 AM
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Sounds like the best place to start. Assuming I can't get a Ford part anymore, any thoughts on a replacement? I'd like quality over savings.
 
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Old Sep 10, 2022 | 12:15 PM
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Would not hurt to even before you have a replacement part, remove the master cylinder from the booster just to look behind it and see if the fluid is leaking out into the booster.
If it is then over time the booster diaphragm can be damaged from the brake fluid.
But it’s also a dead giveaway that your master cylinder is toast, so another good reason to remove it.

You don’t have to disconnect the lines or anything fiddly like that. Just undo the nuts and pull it forward slightly.
I can’t say for certain on your truck, but most of them of this vintage have enough flex in the lines that you can separate the master from the booster without too much trouble.
 
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Old Sep 10, 2022 | 05:09 PM
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You have a bad master cylinder. The fluid is just blowing by the piston and going back into the reservoir. This is assuming that you have no leaks, no other brake lines failed.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2022 | 03:59 PM
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Just circling back on this. The front driver's side brake line rusted through and caused the pressure loss. Had it fixed.

I should probably replace all the lines.

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2022 | 04:55 PM
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Thanks for the follow up.
 
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