1998 Ford F350

140,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BAW0317
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
1998 ford van intermitent problem\r\nthe breaks work fine 90 % of the time its the other 10 % that has me worried
the symptom
the break pedal will not go down and the breaks do not work untill it is pumped once or twice
no fluid is behind the master cylinder and good vacuume is at the booster
Its almost like it is mechanical failier insted of hydraulic failier
when it fails it is like the bedal is being held in place by some type of an obstruction at the top of the pedal
once the pedal is pumped the breaks work fine for a while and operate as expected
Sep 19, 2010 at 2:20 AM
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BILLYMAC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 2,204 POSTS
Hi
If you have to pump the pedal to make them work then the pedal assy is not sticking. this sounds like a caliper failing periodiodically. or a wheel cylinder failure .

however if you have had a complete brake inspection and everything is ok. then the only other possibility is the master cyl is bad. a cyl can malfuntion and not be leaking but bypassing the plunger valves inside the cyl. i would replace it
Sep 19, 2010 at 2:28 AM
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