Curious Brake Issue
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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).
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
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
More Turbo
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 532
Likes: 11
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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.
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