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Brake fluid leak and white steam

Tiny
CHAD SATERFIELD
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
Noticed my brakes suddenly got soft, having just been fine thirty minutes prior to noticing. Brake light turned on after driving a bit. Noticed fluid was a bit low. Topped it off and drove it around back roads for a bit, pumping my brakes. Returned home and when I parked, noticed white steam coming from my under my hood, seems like from the brake master cylinder. Brake fluid was low again, hopped under the car noticed a brown/translucent fluid wad dripping. Hoping someone can help me figure out what is leaking and why?
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Thursday, March 9th, 2017 AT 1:22 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,871 POSTS
Cannot tell from the photos, but the drive shaft looks wet. Look in that area for a rusted steel brake line, especially if that is looking at the rear of the rear drive shaft. There will be a rubber flex hose running from the top of the differential at the center of the axle housing, up to the body. Follow that line where it turns into a steel line. You may need to have a helper press the brake pedal to see where the fluid is coming out. Be careful to never push the brake pedal over half way to the floor. Doing so can damage a master cylinder that is over about a year old.
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Thursday, March 9th, 2017 AT 1:52 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,446 POSTS
The "steam" is the brake fluid hitting the exhaust system. It looks like the leak is right above the drive shaft.
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Thursday, March 9th, 2017 AT 7:28 PM

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