Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and 86_FX4
Well-Known Member
Had a weird issue the other day, I'm assuming it means my brake power booster is failing? Hoping to get some advice or input from anyone with experience in the forum! It has since resolved itself it seems, but am nervous and want to repair/replace.
04' Ranger 4.0 SOHC, 4x4, with cruise and ABS. 120,000mi on the odo.
Brakes have been fine, for a long time. 2 years ago I replaced the pads in the front and the drum shoes in the rear. Zero issues.
The truck is a daily driver, but a few days ago the truck seemed to have minor brake fade, with a "whooshing" sound when pressing the pedal, then the brakes would engage quite harder without any extra input from me on the pedal. Almost jerky, but not quite. I would seem to have to apply a little more pressure than normal, than it would suddenly bite. The pedal feel didn't drastically change, and there was no pull right or left, which is really confusing. Also, it's been fine for the following few days. Maybe a small, small whoosh that seems slightly louder than I remember if I mash down on the pedal with engine running, but nothing like the loudness WHOOSH of before. This all happened on one specific day, after we had a cold snap and the temps were 26F. It's been cold lately, low 30s, so not a big difference but it was quite cold that night/morning. This happened later in the day, rolling slowly in an asphalt parking lot with no snow, no ice, no dirt, anything. Just casually pulling into the grocery store like any other day. Maybe 5-10mph. I will add most of my trips are -very- short. Work, grocery, shops, home depot, is all within 5mi. Few times a month it will be on the road for several hours in a day.
-No check engine lights
-Main booster vac line looks perfect, no leak/hiss when running, even when manipulating hose around
-Brakes seem to be fine, nothing like that one day.. but I have been wary and nervous to drive far or excessively fast. But they seem fine.
-Can feel the pedal drop and booster engage when starting truck
-Fluid res is full, havent needed to add since brake change
-Pads look good, didnt open drums but they are new-ish
Is it possible the diaphragm in the booster can freeze, even if the car was driven every day (just short distances)?
Can anyone suggest other things to check?
I plan to replace the power booster with a new one (not remanufactured) and just to be safe and to hopefully solve future issues, replace the master cylinder and reservoir. Any input? I don't think brakes are just supposed to uhhh, have a bad day then be reliable again.
04' Ranger 4.0 SOHC, 4x4, with cruise and ABS. 120,000mi on the odo.
Brakes have been fine, for a long time. 2 years ago I replaced the pads in the front and the drum shoes in the rear. Zero issues.
The truck is a daily driver, but a few days ago the truck seemed to have minor brake fade, with a "whooshing" sound when pressing the pedal, then the brakes would engage quite harder without any extra input from me on the pedal. Almost jerky, but not quite. I would seem to have to apply a little more pressure than normal, than it would suddenly bite. The pedal feel didn't drastically change, and there was no pull right or left, which is really confusing. Also, it's been fine for the following few days. Maybe a small, small whoosh that seems slightly louder than I remember if I mash down on the pedal with engine running, but nothing like the loudness WHOOSH of before. This all happened on one specific day, after we had a cold snap and the temps were 26F. It's been cold lately, low 30s, so not a big difference but it was quite cold that night/morning. This happened later in the day, rolling slowly in an asphalt parking lot with no snow, no ice, no dirt, anything. Just casually pulling into the grocery store like any other day. Maybe 5-10mph. I will add most of my trips are -very- short. Work, grocery, shops, home depot, is all within 5mi. Few times a month it will be on the road for several hours in a day.
-No check engine lights
-Main booster vac line looks perfect, no leak/hiss when running, even when manipulating hose around
-Brakes seem to be fine, nothing like that one day.. but I have been wary and nervous to drive far or excessively fast. But they seem fine.
-Can feel the pedal drop and booster engage when starting truck
-Fluid res is full, havent needed to add since brake change
-Pads look good, didnt open drums but they are new-ish
Is it possible the diaphragm in the booster can freeze, even if the car was driven every day (just short distances)?
Can anyone suggest other things to check?
I plan to replace the power booster with a new one (not remanufactured) and just to be safe and to hopefully solve future issues, replace the master cylinder and reservoir. Any input? I don't think brakes are just supposed to uhhh, have a bad day then be reliable again.
