Notices
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

Curious Brake Issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 05:35 AM
  #1  
Bill4042's Avatar
Bill4042
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
Curious Brake Issue

1989 F-250 diesel. Just a couple years ago the dealership replaced just about all the brake components except the lines. New master cylinder, and even those little actuator doodads in the back for the antilock brakes. In the past, I have only lost the power to the brakes when the alternator goes bad and spits out that long bolt that likes to cut the belt. (I'm now on the fourth alternator). Right now, the brakes have lost the power assist about 20 percent of the time. It seems to be totally random. Brake fluid is at the correct level and all the belts appear to be intact and not slipping. I would appreciate any semi-educated guesses regarding possible causes before I head to the dealership (sometimes they guess wrong, and that gets expensive).
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 07:13 AM
  #2  
alz's Avatar
alz
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 4
From: Michigan
No power assist would mean either no vacuum to booster or your booster is failing.
That's an educated guess as I am no professional mechanic.
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 08:17 AM
  #3  
njtinman2's Avatar
njtinman2
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: nj
or the brake booster vacuum check valve not keeping vacuum in the booster
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 01:58 PM
  #4  
quaddriver's Avatar
quaddriver
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 8
From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
diesel eh? is the vacuum pump pumping?
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2008 | 02:44 PM
  #5  
bart f-350's Avatar
bart f-350
More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 532
Likes: 11
Hello Bill,

Did you try to route the vacuumhose from the pump towards the vacuumbooster?
Along the route you will find a vacuum actuated switch which sends power to a dash mounted light if there's not enough vacuum.
Than you'll encounter a vacuum manifold which will distribute the vacuum over the heating system.
After that, there will be a check valve which takes care that no vacuum entered the booster will escape.

all of these things you'll have to check at the absence of cracks/holes/leaks.
The same so with all the vacuumhoses.
especially at the vacuum manifold, where a lot of hoses (smaller and colored ones) will be attached, a leak will develop.

Anyway, this is the most unexpected and cheapest D.I.Y. method of fixing missing assistance in the braking department.

Good-Luck

Bart
 
Reply
Old Nov 1, 2008 | 05:53 PM
  #6  
Bill4042's Avatar
Bill4042
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
Thanks

Yup, had to replace a vacum hose, and then the vacum pump as the diaphram/valve was sticking. Now everything's good. Thanks for the help.
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2008 | 02:33 AM
  #7  
bart f-350's Avatar
bart f-350
More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 532
Likes: 11
you're welkom
 
Reply
Old Nov 2, 2008 | 03:45 AM
  #8  
Bill4042's Avatar
Bill4042
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
Crap!

I was wondering why I saw that little mexican guy pounding on my rear hub cap when I was picking the truck up. Of course I didn't give it a second thought at the time. I see that I have both rear hub caps on the passenger side now, so guess what? The driver's side rear hub is poking through it's cap! For you Pauly Shore aficionados, and those who do not have the F-250's stock caps, the front caps are too shallow to fit on the rear, even if you force them. Alot. Damn. I remember the suckers being expensive too, I had to replace two about ten years back when my brother hit the curb. I hope I can still find one.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:05 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE