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  #1  
Old 01-22-2015, 08:55 AM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

Former big time FRF member back again looking for help.


My brake has gone squishy twice in the past 3 weeks since I have moved to a frozen climate. (Read change of 45-60) degrees to where I used to live)

Both times, I happened to be trying to park or going to park so I was able to just shut the engine off. When I shut the engine off and come back, the brakes work as they should.

its cold outside. and I have a job so replacing the wrong thing will irritate me to no end since the bus in the mountain runs at shitty ass times.

Master cylinder is about a year old
brake booster has never been replaced.

brake fluid is about a year old as well, and full.


read somewhere that a brake booster is a common problem but also read that if it was the brake booster, it would actually be stiffer than normal rather than softer.

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and yes I did a search





_________________________

UPDATE! I read someplace that the brake booster check valve is bad if when you rev your engine you lose pressure in your brakes. which is also what happened to me. SO, I replaced the check valve and now it keeps pressure while revving.
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts

Last edited by HazardousRanger; 01-22-2015 at 11:21 AM.
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  #2  
Old 01-22-2015, 09:27 AM
rangerlocal rangerlocal is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

Spongy brakes are going to be air, which I know, sounds weird that they would go back to normal after a restart. Maybe there's a bubble in the master cylinder that gets dislodged and interferes with the fluid dynamics until pressure is relieved from the system (e.g. turning truck off). Have you bench bled the master cylinder?
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  #3  
Old 01-22-2015, 09:30 AM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

but how would there be air in it after a year of total sealage? lol
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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  #4  
Old 01-22-2015, 10:03 AM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

Theyre actually not spongey, the pedal just goes to the floor
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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  #5  
Old 01-22-2015, 10:16 AM
RANGERS4LIFE RANGERS4LIFE is offline
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Just replaced a abs module on my uncles truck that would leaks sometimes. Check that out.
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  #6  
Old 01-22-2015, 11:22 AM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

READ UPDATE ^^^ is it possible I fixed my problem? I will drive cautiously for the next few days. I plan to do a full bleed on sunday to eliminate the possibility of freezing moisture in the lines
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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  #7  
Old 01-22-2015, 05:00 PM
KenHigg KenHigg is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

Sounds like the booster to me...
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  #8  
Old 01-22-2015, 05:05 PM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

I suppose that is next on my list
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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  #9  
Old 01-22-2015, 06:05 PM
Rusty 32 Rusty 32 is offline
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Hey there I just wanted to know if you know how to a brake line lock test.
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  #10  
Old 01-22-2015, 06:19 PM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

no I have no idea what that is
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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  #11  
Old 01-22-2015, 07:08 PM
rangerlocal rangerlocal is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

If the pedal goes to the floor, you have two possible problems.

1. The ABS system/sensor is causing the ABS system to activate, bleeding off pressure. My truck did this when the ABS/VSS sensor on the rear pumpkin went bad. The speedo would drop off below 10 MPH due to the bad sensor, so it thought the wheels suddenly had locked up. ABS activated, and the pedal sunk to the floor, barely stopping me.

2. You have a hydraulic problem preventing the brake fluid from compressing, be it from air in the lines/system, or excessive moisture. In either case here, a full flush of the system and full bleed will cure the issue.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by HazardousRanger View Post
but how would there be air in it after a year of total sealage? lol
It can happen. Bubbles pop up in the damndest places. I've had one way air leaks around banjo bolts before. You can imagine how long that took to figure out.
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  #12  
Old 01-23-2015, 06:24 PM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

#1 sounds more likely. plan on a bleed on sunday
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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  #13  
Old 01-25-2015, 03:05 PM
Golden0 Golden0 is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

I had the same issue not long ago and thought it was the abs sensor. Turns out the front hubs were worn and that is what was causing my brakes to be intermittently squishy. Replaced the hub and bearings and that fixed it.
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  #14  
Old 01-25-2015, 09:16 PM
GLH GLH is offline
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Default

Did you mean to say the rotors ?
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  #15  
Old 01-26-2015, 09:15 PM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Brakes intermittiently go squishy until i restart truck

the rotors?

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Golden0 View Post
I had the same issue not long ago and thought it was the abs sensor. Turns out the front hubs were worn and that is what was causing my brakes to be intermittently squishy. Replaced the hub and bearings and that fixed it.
everything is brand new in that area
__________________
Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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