2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Brake pedal travel

[ILIANBG]

Hi everyone!

Lately my brake pedal feels different. It goes down further before it actually starts stopping. It has always been very firm with very little travel. So now it makes me feel a little unsure.

I had it checked by a reputable shop, and they said-" need rear brake pads, this is the problem". So I had them change it. But now is doing it again, and looks like the rear brake pads made no change. It feels softer, spongy even.



What do you think is going on? There is a good level of the brake fluid. The truck has 94500 miles.

I appreciate all your help and suggestions.

Ilian

 

[Skydiver]

Is your pedal going half way down before engaging?

Your master cylinder is failing. Cup washers gone bad. You are only getting brake pressure to the front or rear. Most likely rear. Easy fix, just must bleed everything. Have you ever replaced your brake fluid?

 

[ILIANBG]

Thanks Skydiver. I did full brake fluid flush about year and a half ago. And it feels pretty much half way travel. It also take longer for the pedal to go up, compared to before-when you push and take your foot off.

Do you think the master cylinder is bad and needs to be changed?

 

[Missouri Mule]

Your back brakes mite have been out of adjustment. Find a empty parking lot and back up fast and hit the brakes hard that is how you self adjust back brakes on 2nd generations.



But I do agree your master seems to be going.

 

[ILIANBG]

O. K. It seems I will be replacing the master cylinder. I wish the place I had the brakes done offered more than parts changing- it looks like e very common practice now. Little real knowledge, just take the road of parts changing- replace everything one at a time and you will eventually solve the problem. What a sad story and not functioning brains and people doing this type of work.

So, where is a good place to buy a new master cylinder (a reputable source) ? And what should I expect to pay for it?

Thank you everyone and I really appreciate your help.

Ilian

 

[jelag]

Try this... . set your parking brake, and see if setting the parking brake the pedal(parking brake pedal) goes to the floor...

If the parking brake pedal goes to the floor the rear brake shoes are not fully adjusted up like they should... and Missouri Mule is right... however I've found that sometimes the backing trick won't do it and you have to go and adjust the rear brake shoes...

The rear wheel cylinders are requiring an excessive amount of fluid thus your pedal is way down...

On the other hand... if you press your brake pedal hard, and hold it down... and you can feel it drift slowly to the floor, that's a sure sign of a problem in the master cylinder...

 

[ILIANBG]

Parking brake pedal does not go to the floor- it's pretty much where it's always been.

I tried the backing up thing too. Thanks.

And the brake peadal never goes to the floor, even when I press hard and hold on to it. Before start up is really hard, after start is little lower than what I'm used to. Sometimes is just fine, and others- feels I have to push harder to stop, and travels more.

My rear brakes are disc, not drums by the way(I think 01 and 02 have those).

The rear brake pads were replaced, nothing was bled, I guess because they did not open the system for bleeding, just slowly pushed back the caliper cylinders.

Thank you Jelag, and all the folks here, it has always helped me in the past.

I think I will be looking for a new master cylinder. Anyone knows a good place for a new one? Thanks

Ilian

 

[B.G. Smith]

I would try bleeding the brakes before going with the new master cyl. Could be just a little air. bg