HELP, Crazy brake/power steering problem

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Feb 18, 2005 | 03:26 PM

sherriff

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HELP, Crazy brake/power steering problem

Last night in my 92 Ford F150, auto, PS,PB, ABS, Air 302 5L I was driving and when coasting the truck would come to an abrupt stop and the engine would struggle. My power steering started whining a little and next thing I know, my brake pedal was depressing by itself. I stopped the truck at the side of the road and the brake pedal would go directly to fully compressed when the engine was still running. I lifted the hood and while the truck was running I pulled the power brake booster vaccum line off and the pedal came back up. Anytime I placed my finger over the vaccum line (there was lots of suction) or plugged it back in the pedal depressed and the engine would almost die. Luckily I got my truck home and I checked all fluids. Brake level was fine but my power steering was bone dry. I topped it up and started the truck and immediately the brakes were fine again. I did however notice the power steering fluid dripping out bigtime. I have not found the source of the leak yet but I am assuming it is out of the pump or steering box somewhere. My question is, how did this affect my brakes? Is this normal? Also, is it a big job to find and replace the steering box if needed?

Please help...

Thanks

Sherriff

Feb 18, 2005 | 06:57 PM

mike93

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From: North Bend Washington

gremlins under the hood. if you hadn't of mentioned the power steering i would have guessed the brake booster had gone bad. this is a weird one.

Feb 19, 2005 | 09:19 AM

sherriff

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Crazy problem

Ya I am stuck, no idea what could have gone wrong. Strange. Guess I will start to find the leak and then go from there.

Thanks

Sherriff

Feb 19, 2005 | 09:31 AM

tex94F250

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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia

Brakes and Power steering

Sherriff,
There is no connection between the power steering and the brake system. I would venture to guess that you have a booster going bad. Especially if there is not loss in fliud level in the brake system. You conducted the correct test, replace the booster. Unless you want 26" biceps, it's time to find and correct the power steering leak, pronto. It happened that you had two malfunctions at the same time. Correct both and you can go on your way.