2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Brake Frustration

[APresnall]

This is my first post...



I HAVE LOOKED FOR OTHER PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM THIS PROBLEM, BUT HAVE NOT COME ACCROSS IT YET.



WHEN I AM PARKING, TURNING LOCK TO LOCK, PULLING OUT, TRYING TO GET IN A SPACE THAT IS TOO SMALL. MY BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, SLOWLY. I CHANGED AS MUCH OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID AS I COULD TO THE VALVOLINE SYN. IT SEEMED TO HELP A LITTLE AND THE WARMER WEATHER SEEMS TO AID ALSO. BUT, THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS.

AM I IN DENIAL ABOUT MY MASTER CYLINDER OR IS IT SOMETHING ELSE? ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM?

 

[jkern]

welcome

surf and search around the site, what you describe is probably related to the common problem of our trucks not producing enough hydralic pressure and GPM (gallons per minute flow)at an idle to steer the wheels and use the brakes at the same time. our brakes are power assisted by a hydralic over hydralic system so the power steering pump provides power for the steering and the brakes both. this is in contrast to gas type engines that produce vacuum and have vacuum over hydralic assisted brakes.



clear as mud???



another fix beside switching to synthetic fluid is tearing the pump apart and spacing the pressure regulater spring to ramp up the pressure slightly. it is reported by some that this fixes the problem... i personally have not done it.

 

[MPalachuk]

With out boost help the pedal should be hard, if it goes to the floor I would be looking at the master cylinder. Most rigs when no boost help the pedal is at the top and hard to push, then when you start it the pedal drops away some. I would plan on a master cylinder change.

 

[Joe G.]

APresnall,



We need to know what year truck. For three years these trucks use vacuum boosters. Then they switched to a hydraulic booster. It's a good idea to use a signature to indicate what year your truck is and what options it has.

 

[APresnall]

Thank you for all of the responses,



I should clarify that when the brakes engage they stop with the same force applied to the pedal as when the pedal is near the top of its stroke. The only difference is that it is near the floor when I have been turning the wheel a lot.

I had assumed at first that it was the master cylinder and went out and bought one right away. Then I returned it and tried to flush the fluid out of the pump. When the fluid came out it was like molassis and I thought for sure that was the problem. Now, I think I am going to have to go back to my original idea and replace the master cylinder.



I'll be sure and post the results.



Thanks



ADAM

 

[bmoeller]

Are there leaks at any of the wheel cylinders?