kevin

On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 23:48:31 -0600, "pkurtz2" <pkurtz2@cox.net> wrote:

>> Thanks so much, your detailed reply really helps. I am lucky enough
>> to have access to a bay at a local garage on saturday so I will be
>> able to check all this easily. I really appreciate you explaining
>> how the system works.
>>
>> So if you are right about the pads, why would the master cylinder and
>> the brakes seemingly go all at once?? One minute I am pulling into a
>> gas station and I notice the ABS light, aprox 10 minutes later the
>> brake's are spongy and Im barely getting any braking at all??!?? Is
>> this commen for your pads and MC to go at the same time?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> thanks again,
>>
>> Kevin
>>
>
>It sounds like you had a sticking piston, and when it finally came loose and
>moved out in its bore, it was enough to pull the fluid level down in the
>system. That stuck piston coming loose might have allowed the plunger to
>travel down the bore farther in the MC to a spot that was getting rusty
>(DOT3 brake fluid is moisture absorbent, thats why its in plastic bottles,
>and is supposed to stay sealed to keep moisture out). The rust could have
>possibly knicked the rubber seal, and created a leak in the MC plunger
>seals.Also, alot of pluger seals, are cup seals, so when the have pressure
>against them, they spread out to hold the fluid in the system, if one came
>loose.... Again, who knows how it happens, and there are several ways it can
>happen, and to really find out what did happen you would have to disassemble
>the MC and inspect the parts, but suffice it to say. If the MC goes out, you
>dont want to have to stop too fast..


Thanks I've learned so much from your posts. Today I brought the
truck to a well lit garage and followed all your advice. Turns out
the front pads are almost ready to be replaced but in the well lit
garage with the car up on jacks what do I notice? A leak.

It turns out there is a leak coming off one of the steel tubes that
comes out of the MC. I never noticed it before on my driveway.
Sometime this week Im gonna try to see if Ford sell's one for my
Ranger, but the guys at the garage said if not I could buy a straight
tube at NAPA, take mine off and bend it the same. Hopefully this will
be as easy as it sounds.

I really appreciate all your help (and everyone else on this NG) Ive
learned so much about the break system and will be able to
troubleshoot any problems in the future. Hopefully I'll have my
Ranger 100% within the week!




Kevin