97 ranger brake problems

[jhh46]

Hi I'm Jim, hope I'm at the right forum? I have a 1997 ford ranger ext cab with a 4.0 eng. 5 speed trans. and it has cruise control and I think it has only rear ABS? I have a brake problem, as I was driving I felt a bumb and the steering wheel jerked to the left. I thought I had hit something in the road but couldn't see anything, this may not mean anything but thought I should mention it as the next time I hit the brakes I only had 1/2 pedal. I went on shopping as it would still stop the truck than when I pulled out of the parking lot I had a full pedal and good brakes again, next day went to start truck, 1/2 pedal again but while driving I got a full pedal again. I come home parked and today pedal goes to floor and won't hold truck at all (we live on a hill). I pulled the emergency brake put it in gear, tried to move the truck but back brakes held good as truck wouldn't move. As of now I have no brakes using the pedal. I have no leaks as master cylinder is full and I checked all wheels for leaks. Would this be a failure of the master cylinder or maybe something else? Could the cruise control affect the brakes like this? Sorry for being so long winded but it's hard to explain. Thanks for any help as it will be appreciated Jim

 

[LearjetMinako]

Sounds like a similar story with a buddy from work. His was the master cylinder went out. Even thou he had it replaced 2 years ago. And from the sounds of how it is acting, I would suspect the master cylinder as well. For now, don't drive it. Check all the brake lines from the wheel to the master cylinder. Make sure the rubber hose lines aren't balloning under pressure.

Cruise control shouldn't affect the brakes at all. And for year of Ranger, you should have rear ABS. Unless its a 4x4 model, then it could be 4-wheel ABS.

 

[jhh46]

re brakes

Checked lines and rubber hoses all look good. It is a 4x4 but I can't find the ABS module, my friend has a 98 ( I think thats what his is) and his module is on the driver side fender well. I just got in was out working on it and now have some brake but did trace the front brake lines and they go from master to wheel?? not sure about back lines yet ( getting to old to crawl under these things anymore) ha ha. I do think it's the master cylinder, quess I'll change it out. Thanks for the help Jim

 

[LearjetMinako]

If the front brake lines go directly to the master cylinder, then it is R-ABS. The brake line ABS module is attached to the frame under about where the cab and front fender meet. It will be in the c-channel groove of the frame. The R-ABS electronic module is in the center dashboard console, to the right where the radio would be.

Another thing that I just thought of. If you have never flushed your brake system, it could be FOD'ed. Try flushing your brake system and see what comes out of it.

 

[--weezl--]

flushing the fluid isn't a bad idea at all, though i HIGHLY doubt it will fix the problem... if you take it for a test drive after bleeding it, make sure to pump the brakes up BEFORE you take it for the drive... i often forget to do this when changing pads and such... nearly backed my truck into a fence last time i did it...

also, because you're having NO pedal situations, until this problem is 100% completely fixed, do not drive it on the road, and only drive it for testing purposes... if you cause an accident because of no brakes, you are in HUGE with legal problems... in canada you're looking at criminal offences (similar to your felonies i believe) it could fall under reckless endangerment, because you knew the brakes were faulty, but were driving it anyways, regardless of the reason why...

ANYWAYS, my honest guess is the master cylinder... i would replace it, it sounds like it's got an internal leak (past the plunger) i've had that happen on my 150, though it usually dropped slowly to the bottom...

make sure you bench bleed your new master cylinder... to do this, you should have a couple small rubber hoses that you stick into the outputs of the brakes, and back into the resivoir, then you pump the brakes with a screw driver until the bubbles stop coming out, then cap it, install it, and bleed the whole system for a good period of time to make sure all the air is out...

does the problem happen when it's hot, or when it's cold, or does it make a difference? random... ect?

i'm just thinking that an air bubble, if small enough, could cause similar problems, though it likely wouldn't cause the intermittantness... is your fluid on full?

 

[jhh46]

Fluid is full and it happens at random. I have a master cylinder ordered, it should come in this afternoon. When I get it on and try it I'll repost the results. Have my fingers crossed haha. Thanks Jim

 

[LearjetMinako]

flushing the fluid isn't a bad idea at all, though i HIGHLY doubt it will fix the problem... if you take it for a test drive after bleeding it, make sure to pump the brakes up BEFORE you take it for the drive... i often forget to do this when changing pads and such... nearly backed my truck into a fence last time i did it...

, A rookie mistake that I have seen my friends make so many times.

 

[martin]

Check your front wheel bearings, excessive looseness can cause similar problems.

 

[--weezl--]

, A rookie mistake that I have seen my friends make so many times.

damn near EVERY time i do my brakes i do it! lol have for years!