Odd brakes
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Odd brakes
Well, I had the chance to drive the Ranger for once today, in quite a while and noticed that for the first few blocks during warm up the brakes seemed a bit 'sluggish' for lack of a better term, like vacuum wasn't built up yet. No leaks no vacuum line problems etc. No warning lights. The brakes if you step on them fairly hard right after it starts just seem a bit 'lazy' but firm. After a block or so they are excellent as usual. What could it be?? thanks in advance!!
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Before you first crank it, to start it up, press firmly on the brake pedal & pay close attention to what it does.
If it drops a little, as the engine fires & first begins to run & build vacuum, the brake booster is likely ok. If the pedal doesn't drop right away, or takes a while, or dosn't drop at all, then I'd suspect something is going on with a vacuum line or connection to the brake booster, or a faulty but not completely failed booster, as what you've described it feeling like sorta fits .
After rereading your first post & thinkng about my first reply, if you have a excessive buildup of rust on the rotors & drums, seems to me you might hear a slight to moderate grinding noise, when the brakes are first applied, maybe even a little grabby, or rough feeling, until the rust wears off, but this condition doesn't usually make the brakes feel "sluggish", like the boost is low, as you posted.
A "sluggish" feel usually has to do with the brake boost not being up to par, as you first suspected, or something going on with the master cylinder, or a wheel cylnder.
Seing as how this is a 05 Ranger & it's still under warranty, I believe maybe I'd run it by the Dealer & let them have a look see!!!! Or maybe call the Service Manager & run it by him & see what ideas he has.
Has it always done this, after sitting unused for awhile, or has this condition just begun????
If it drops a little, as the engine fires & first begins to run & build vacuum, the brake booster is likely ok. If the pedal doesn't drop right away, or takes a while, or dosn't drop at all, then I'd suspect something is going on with a vacuum line or connection to the brake booster, or a faulty but not completely failed booster, as what you've described it feeling like sorta fits .
After rereading your first post & thinkng about my first reply, if you have a excessive buildup of rust on the rotors & drums, seems to me you might hear a slight to moderate grinding noise, when the brakes are first applied, maybe even a little grabby, or rough feeling, until the rust wears off, but this condition doesn't usually make the brakes feel "sluggish", like the boost is low, as you posted.
A "sluggish" feel usually has to do with the brake boost not being up to par, as you first suspected, or something going on with the master cylinder, or a wheel cylnder.
Seing as how this is a 05 Ranger & it's still under warranty, I believe maybe I'd run it by the Dealer & let them have a look see!!!! Or maybe call the Service Manager & run it by him & see what ideas he has.
Has it always done this, after sitting unused for awhile, or has this condition just begun????
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Fuquay Varina,NC
Right, I would definately take it in for warranty work. On our 2004 Ranger, the master cylinder failed at 12,000 miles, while my wife was driving it, and she consequently wrecked it. After the wreck, the master cylinder was fine, and the dealer couldnt find any problems, so I ended up paying out of pocket to change it. So, i wouldnt be suprised if your booster or master cylinder is going bad on an 05
