Missing right rear brake

[1gordyk]

2004 ranger xlt supercab 4x4 with manual tranny.
Just bought this high mileage (200k) ranger. Did not pay much so i expected there to be issues BUT.
in troubleshooting a non operative park brake I both rear brake hubs and find the right hub is empty, no brake parts in there except the brake cylinder.
I can buy shoes and a parts kit but the kits do not have all the needed parts. Does anyone have a parts truck and would be willing to sell me all the right rear brake parts?
The brake fluid reservoir is full and the other three brakes all work so why doesn’t the right brake cylinder pistons push out and lose all the fluid when the brakes are applied?

 

[Curious Hound]

The brake fluid reservoir is full and the other three brakes all work so why doesn’t the right brake cylinder pistons push out and lose all the fluid when the brakes are applied?

The cylinder my be rusted and seized. Either that or the line is disconnected and capped or crimped somewhere between there and the tee fitting at the differential.

Sounds like you're due for a trip to the junk yard for parts.

 

[sgtsandman]

The previous owner hid a problem and dumped it on you. Like noted above, chase the system from the axle splitter block to the wheel cylinder and make sure everything is in tact. From there, see if the wheel cylinder is functional. If all that looks ok, then you can start working on getting parts to install everything that should be there.

My guess is that the wheel cylinder is shot and the previous owner didn't want to deal with it. It may be that the metal brake line twisted off when they tried to fix the problem. Assuming they even tried to get that far.

 

[Dirtman]

Find the guy who sold it to you and then "accidentally" rear end him. Then get out and say "gee man I dunno why the brakes didn't work on this sweet truck you sold me!".

Joking of course... But knowingly selling a vehicle with defective brakes like that (or at least not disclosing the issue to the buyer) is pretty messed up bordering on criminal.

 

[55trucker]

All of the missing hardware can be purchased new with the exception of the park brake lever (attached to the secondary shoe) & the push rod & spring that are between the primary & secondary shoe.