1990 Ford Aerostar no brakes

Tiny
STEVENSEAMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 FORD AEROSTAR
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 83,000 MILES
I am disabled and have been since oct 2003 and am just starting to get around a little and a local sign company gave me their old ford aerostar van. It had been sitting for 3 years and I was able to get it running but the brakes were real soft, I had to put them to the floor to stop. I added fluid and after 2 days the brakes got worse I was driving to the doctor and when I went to stop at a light the pedal went all the way to the floor and didnot even slow me down. The brake light came on and rear anti-lock light came on also. I was able to avoid a collition by applying the emergency brake. I had a friend bleed the front brakes but it didnot help at all so now I am back to begging rides to my weekly doctors appointments.
Can anyone tell me what I should check first, I have very litle income so cannot take the chance of someone ripping me off.
Help please
Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 AT 7:46 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
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Add fluid and look underneath for a leak. MAybe anywhere front to rear or in the brake drum area.

The tough part is that the where the leak may be, may be not able to be repaired in that one small area. This has the potential to be an expensive repair.
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Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 AT 10:04 AM
Tiny
STEVENSEAMAN
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Thanks for the quick reply!
I checked that and there does not seem to be a leak, I had my helper looking underneath while I applied breaks and did not see any drips and there was no puddles when I moved it. Also fluiid level looks the same. Maybe I better wait untill tax refund that Pressident signed gets here and hope for an honest repair shop.
Thanks again for the quick reply and if you have anyother sugestions let me know and I will try them
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Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
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NExt spot to look is going to be in the rear drums. OFten you will see some fluid that has spun onto to inside of the sidewalls on the rear tiresor at the bottom of the backing plate where the drum meets it.
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Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 AT 12:24 PM

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