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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Power Brake Unit problem??

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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 08:11 AM
  #1  
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Exclamation Power Brake Unit problem??

'86 F150. When I press on the brake pedal while vehicle is moving, I get this awful creaking noise that seemingly originates from the Brake Booster. Is there a way grease this thing to stop that noise? Or is this a sign it needs to be replaced?

Thanks for your help.
 
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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 09:49 AM
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Since your brake booster is vacuum controlled, there really isn't much you have available to service on it. Luckily the units are not to expensive and it is a justified investment to replace it now, while it still has some life in it instead of down the road when it goes out while driving. The crackling noise is something new though, I must say I have not heard any noise like that from a brake booster but it is possible. How do your brakes feel when you hit the pedal? Are they still easy to push, really soft are hard?
 
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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by FordPickupMan351w
...The crackling noise is something new though, I must say I have not heard any noise like that from a brake booster but it is possible. How do your brakes feel when you hit the pedal? Are they still easy to push, really soft are hard?
It's not a crackling, but rather a loud squeak (I think I said creaking, originally) when I press on the pedal, like it's not gliding smoothly. I wouldn't say the brakes are hard to push, seems normal except for the lack of smoothness.

For replacement, is this a difficult job? Never done it before. Is it little more than changing a master cylinder?
 
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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 12:49 PM
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To me that sounds like you just have a worn out brake booster. As long as your brakes are working fine, it probably isn't beneficial to replace it, but if you choose to, it is not hard at all. All it is is a few bolts and a vacuum line. The brake master cylinder just bolts right to the booster and the booster should just bolt to the firewall. You don't have to worry about bleeding the lines or anything like that. Let me know if you have any questions, but it is probably one of the easier jobs to take on.
 
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Old Sep 2, 2004 | 02:36 PM
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Thanks for the help.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2019 | 07:10 PM
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I just went through this on my 1980. it was gawd awful creaking and groaning that if mic'd up could have been used for sound effects at a haunted house.


I googled a bit and there was a lot of discussion about it being the booster.....which up to that point honestly I hadnt even considered the booster being part of it.
I didnt undo anything just got underneath and sprayed a ton of wd40. then i worked the pedal a bit and the sound went away.
a day or two later when I drove somewhere it was back so I gave up


now yesterday.....I noticed all is quiet again
 
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Old Sep 12, 2019 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by 82_F100_300Six
I just went through this on my 1980. it was gawd awful creaking and groaning that if mic'd up could have been used for sound effects at a haunted house.


I googled a bit and there was a lot of discussion about it being the booster.....which up to that point honestly I hadnt even considered the booster being part of it.
I didnt undo anything just got underneath and sprayed a ton of wd40. then i worked the pedal a bit and the sound went away.
a day or two later when I drove somewhere it was back so I gave up


now yesterday.....I noticed all is quiet again
Now that we've cracked this thread back open, did you inspect the firewall for cracks around the power booster? Just curious.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2019 | 08:33 PM
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The brake and clutch pedals ride on nylon bushings (2471 in upper/lower pics). The bushings crack apart/disintegrate, the pedals squeak.




 
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Old Sep 12, 2019 | 08:45 PM
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thanks Mr. Bill
 
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