Archived Little to no brakes

[Bernie]

I have an 03 (see my signature). This morning, I headed out to the truck, left my driveway, and discovered I have little to no brakes.



Pedal travels almost completely to the floor with little effect on stopping the truck.



The weird thing is, I can't seem to find any fluid leaks. It feels like a leak, but I don't see any fluid. I will be the first to admit, I don't really understand the power brakes from power steering and that compressed gas kachigger thing.



Any insight as to where to start would great. Thanks!

 

[NIsaacs]

Is the fluid level okay? Sometimes with disk brakes if you don't top off the reservoir from time to time, as the brakes wear and the calipers expand to make up for the wear they contain more and more fluid. It is possible that you do not have a leak. If you do/did, you might be so low as to not have any to leak?



Nick

 

[seafish]

Bad master cylinder is also likely if you see no signs of a leak elsewhere.

The fluid can leak AROUND the plunger as it depresses, thus no brake pressure.

Check brake fluid level first, like NIsaacs suggested.

 

[Bernie]

Fluid level is fine (sorry, should have mentioned this in my original).

 

[seafish]

"A by pass leak is an internal failure of the master cylinder,(when fluid is allowed to sqirt past the internal brake piston seals) it can be caused by wear or brake fluid contamination. "

 

[jhenderson]

Try pumping the pedal 4-5 times. If it comes up, hold slight pressure on it. If it falls away under your foot, the master is bad. Use light pressure, heavy pressure can cause a worn cup seal to expand and give a false outcome. Make sure the truck is running when you try this.

 

[Bernie]

I tried that, and yes, it looks like the master cylinder. I really don't know much about the booster system on these trucks so I figured I would ask and see if that could be the problem.



I have to head out of town, so I am leaving it with a shop and I will see what they come up with. I usually do my own work, but my travel schedule is tight so Diesel Brothers will do the work.



Thanks for the input!

 

[dlfairhurst]

Check your power steering fluid. Your hydro booster runs off the power steering. Which is a brake booster in a gas car. Mine went out and lost brakes very scary