Ever since I bought the truck My brakes have gone close it the floor

Thanks it was the right front caliper had air in it all fixed!

Hey guys. I have a 2003 Ford Ranger. This morning when I pressed down on my brake pedal, it initially stopped as usual about halfway to the floor, then proceeded to push all the way to the floor. The truck still stopped, but took longer. Then the brake dash light came on. I drove it straight home and parked it, but it continued to press all the way to the floor. I see no fluid loss on the driveway. After doing some research online, it appears that the culprit may be the master cylinder. Would you agree or should I try something else first before digging in and replacing it tomorrow? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Brakes work fine but some times, just before coming complete stop the
pedal will sink a little then stop. During the pedal sink I hear a swish. I replaced master cylinder, pads, shoes and bled brakes with new fluids.

It has full fluid and does not seem to have any leaks near the master cylinder

Could be the seal to the master cylinder to check pour soapy water where the cylinder and the firewall meet

2001 Ford Ranger Intermittent loss of pedal pressure when braking. Master replaced, system checked and bled. Problem persists and getting more frequent. Told problem is probably ABS related but I can find little information on line. Actuator? If so does it require special tool to bleed after replacement? Is it possible to avoid dealer? Any on line manuals or diagrams?

Joe, Thanks for responding. Have you collected my donation? I don't know how this works.

I have a good mechanic and we both checked every line, cylinder and caliper. Master was replaced and lines bled. His conclusion was that the only item left was the ABS and I had an online mechanic tell me that the actuator can wear and bypass just as a master can.

Most of the time the brake pedal is effective. It does no sink when steady pressure is applied. What started as once a day has become every fifth or so braking event as I am coming to a stop the pedal will just sink/travel. I stop but with a bead of sweat forming on my brow. So the problem is becoming more frequent.

I downloaded a service manual and for some reason it mentions the ABS but never offers narrative or diagram. I know if I drop the truck off at a dealer I am at the mercy.

Any other suggestions? There is a slight pulsing in the brake pedal when this happens but I cannot tell you if that is the ABS activated or not.

Help.

Chuck

The mechanic here was baffled. At the time he was involved the phenomena was so rare he could not road test to experience it. No, the pedal does not sink if steady pressure is applied. I thought maybe the actuator might be different than the master because of the solenoids and chambers. More strangely it only happens as I am almost stopped and then the pedal will just release and travel maybe an inch or inch and a half. It does not bottom. Then it may not happen through the next three or four stops.

It seems to happen when I hit a certain speed like 8 mph (just a guess) If I brake to slow while at traveling speed no problem. Your bulging line idea is interesting but I think that would happen every time and at all speeds. The fluid level does not change so I am not leaking from a pin hole or wheel cylinder. A guy on this sight back a month or so is the one who mentioned the actuator and even sent a link to a part picture for an on line parts store. The part is over $300 with obviously no returns. I was looking for service manual guidance because I read somewhere the ABS has to be sequence bled with a special tool and so that seems to force me to a dealer. My mechanic will replace the part if I buy it but won't purchase it because of the iffiness of success. We didn't try to get a code read because no lights come on to indicate any problem with the ABS. You think there might be a code fault for an intermittent hydraulic anomaly?

If a dealer gets this truck we both know I ain't getting out alive particularly when anything they tell me I would have to trust since I have no clear idea what to reject.

Also, the part the other online troubleshooter was not recognizable to me so I thought a year specific repair manual guide would give me a clear diagram to compare to my as built truck. It has been 5 degrees outside here for a while and I am old so I haven't stuck my head under the hood for a while. I didn't want to order that part until I am certain it is a match.

Lots of words and no additional information.

That part only shows up on the parts store he recommended so I am assuming if Advance and NAPA don't even list it all arrows point to the Blue Oval. ****! Those dudes get their pound. I'll feel abused for a month after until I manage to forget it which at my age requires less and less time.

If you're out of ideas I'll understand. You won't be the first.

Chuck

Joe, one last inquiry.

Did you or can you read about whether the bleeding instructions change with replacement of the actuator? I or my mechanic can do a replace and simple system bleed.

You're the man.

Chuck

Joe, Now I am stumped. Raybestos has stopped remanufacturing the actuator and OEM suppliers are saying that Ford the part is no longer available.

Any idea where I can get a replacement? Something is wrong here and no one is talking. I am wondering if these are a bad design and no one is talking?

Chuck

Get OEM replacement ABS brakes from AS Auto Parts one of the best known OEM replacement auto parts store in the US.
You will never complain again search the part today.