1986 Ranger(my love) problems.

[dlisk]

Bought this truck 4 years ago with 165k miles on it. Only drove it around campus and back and forth between home and college during breaks. Havent since put to many miles on her... shes at 188k now.

Rarely saw any problems untill two winters ago when I took a train home for winter break instead of driving home. When I came back the breaks had locked up and ended up getting an entire new system. (This was a year ago)

Drove her all last summer/fall/winter with zero problems. Around January I noticed that the break pedal was starting to stick a little bit. A tap here and there would get her back into position and running smooth as silk.

As the winter progressed into spring however the problem got much worse and as of late I have had to literally put my foot under the break and pull it back up. Tried lubing the pedal up today and that seemed to be helping.

Now the problem.... I decided instead of unsticking the pedal to ride it out a bit and the break resistance seemed to be lightening and the pedal was sticking less. When I pulled in the driveway I had a big ole break leak and now shes empty on break fluid.

Thus then my questions! I have zero experience with auto mechanics. Is it an unreal endvearor to try and fix the break line myself? Was the line the problem the entire time? Could it be leaking from somewhere besides a line? How much you think im looking at if I take it to a shop?

-I know its lengthy and broad but I for the most part just needed to vent and ask for a prayer or two for me and my ranger whom I love more then anything perhaps.

--MJM in Saratoga Springs NY

 

[dlisk]

One other small thing! If and most likely I will, bring it to a shop... am I gonna be alright driving without break fluid? The shop is like 5 miles away and Id def fill it up before I drove over there.

-MJM

 

[skyy_4life]

i woudlnt suggest driving the truck without brakes unless you have experience driving cars using gears only. im not sure it was the problem the whole time but if you have a leak then it needs to be fixed and maybe it will fix your other problem. i would fill it up with fluid and take it to the shop if anything. make sure u have a little bit of brakes just use the brakes as little as possible. were the lines replaced with the system? if not its a rust spot somewere on lines most likely. if the were then a bad flare somewere maybe. i would take it to a shop.

 

[rich58]

I have had the same problem it turned out to be my break lines and the break master cylinder. personally i would check your lines first. but it is not a good idea to drive it without break fluid.