1999 Ford Ranger brakes give out when completing a stop

RICKYPETERS

MEMBER
1999 FORD RANGER
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
190,000 MILES

When coming to a complete stop my brakes give out and it is very hard to push the brake pedal. I have changed all of the brake pads and rotors and this problem still continues. The brake light is on but the brakes are good. The truck slows down fine at higher speeds. This problem only happens at very low speeds, mostly when coming to a complete stop.

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Hi rickypeters and TY for the donation

HARD BRAKE PEDAL:

Lack of power assist may be due to low engine vacuum, a leaky vacuum hose or a defective booster. Sometimes a faulty check valve will allow vacuum to bleed out of the booster causing a hard pedal when the brakes are applied. This condition can be diagnosed by starting the engine (to build vacuum), shutting it off, waiting four or five minutes, then trying the brakes to see if there is power assist. No assist means a new check valve is needed

Checking the brake booster:

A quick way to check the vacuum booster is to pump the brake pedal several times with the engine off to bleed off any vacuum that may still be in the unit. Then hold your foot on the pedal and start the engine. If the booster is working, the amount of effort required to hold the pedal should drop and the pedal itself may depress slightly. If nothing happens and the vacuum connections to the booster unit are okay, a new booster is needed (the vacuum hose should be replaced, too).

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Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 AT 8:11 PM

RICKYPETERS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Its not an issue of the brake pedal being hard to push, when I come to a complete stop, sometimes it drops and almost quivers a bit like the antilock system is coming of, I was wondering if the abs sensors on the wheels(if there are any) would cause this, or is the abs control module itself could cause this. I have talked to quite a few people and this problem seems to be quite common for my year and make. If it could be the wheels sensors, where are they located? What about a speed sensor?

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Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 AT 9:02 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check master cylinder could have an internal leak causing it to drop while being applied. Try rebleeding the system

Could also be air in the ABS modulator, wheel speed sensors out of range signals-Do you have an ABS warning light?

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Friday, October 23rd, 2009 AT 12:14 AM

SCOTT400F

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I have the same problem just as you almost come to the stop the abs pumps and lets the truck roll forward and then comes to a stop. I was told probually a speed sensor there is one on the tranny and one on the rear diff is my understanding.
The one in fron is not cheap and the one on the back is under $20. Bucks but folks are leading me towrds the fro on which is expensive. My abs light has never came on or flickered only as it is upppose to on start up. I was wondering if a guy could pull the ABS fuse and see if it elminates the problem. I know ABS is gret but my pocket book is small right now.

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Sunday, October 25th, 2009 AT 10:09 PM