Master Cylinder issue...
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Professional
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Troy, Ohio
Are you in a rust state if so check your brake lines for bad rust on any of the lines you may have a pin hole leak. Finding brake line leaks can be very hard to find as the DOT 3 almost evaporates and blends in so easy.
Are you losing any DOT 3?
Pull out the brightest flashlight you have and inspect every inch of brake line feel the line with your fingers for oily spots.
Check those back brakes very closely you may want to pull the shoes out and inspect the cylinders for leaks pull the boot back and look for a wet boot.
Are you losing any DOT 3?
Pull out the brightest flashlight you have and inspect every inch of brake line feel the line with your fingers for oily spots.
Check those back brakes very closely you may want to pull the shoes out and inspect the cylinders for leaks pull the boot back and look for a wet boot.
I'll do another full brake line inspection and pull the rear drums as well.
Think I should go ahead and replace the master cylinder ??
Amateur
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Canada
You started by saying the master has been replaced at some point earlier. Perhaps it has failed, maybe it was a reman unit.
My previous post indicated that you should check the wheel brakes to ensure that they are working properly. I mentioned the rear brake adjusters, and it's simple to see that the shoes are in close contact to the drums. You can feel it as the drums are drawn off.
In the same way you can check the calipers for free movement on the sliders. If a caliper locks up the piston will operate the one pad making clearance over time. So visually check the caliper for easy movement, or just lift them off and confirm that.
A leak would be immediately obvious. It might be a brake hose with an "aneurism".
If all those things check out, then yes it's probably the master cylinder. With forty years experience in these things I've developed an aversion to throwing parts at cars and trucks. I like to diagnose - and part of that is eliminating things that are working properly.
My previous post indicated that you should check the wheel brakes to ensure that they are working properly. I mentioned the rear brake adjusters, and it's simple to see that the shoes are in close contact to the drums. You can feel it as the drums are drawn off.
In the same way you can check the calipers for free movement on the sliders. If a caliper locks up the piston will operate the one pad making clearance over time. So visually check the caliper for easy movement, or just lift them off and confirm that.
A leak would be immediately obvious. It might be a brake hose with an "aneurism".
If all those things check out, then yes it's probably the master cylinder. With forty years experience in these things I've developed an aversion to throwing parts at cars and trucks. I like to diagnose - and part of that is eliminating things that are working properly.
