I keep having to add fluid and bleed the brakes on both my pintos. The 74 wagon has everything new but the lines and hoses in the back, and nothing new but pads up front. It seems whats happening is that the fluid is somehow blowing out the top ofthe master cylnder, even tho the seal on the cap is good. The 76, i cant find any leaks but i know it has to have one somewhere. Air keeps getting in the line and i have to bleed the brakes every couple of months. Im to the point now where i have to pump them up. It has a new master cylinder, both new hoses up front, new hose in the back and both new wheel cylinders. The 74 i think i have to add fluid to the back part of the reservoir and the 76 i have to add to the front compartment, if i remember right. All i know for sure is im tired of skating around brake problems. LOL.
Well if you have to add fluid to the Front part of the Master Cyl. (the 76) that is for the Rear brakes, right? Try to just sit in one spot and pump the he!! out of the brakes and see if you have fluid on the ground by one of the tires or on suspension parts, the backing plates, dust shields etc. Or even take a device (I've used snow brushes b4) and have it so it is applying pressure to the brake pedal.....and go eat dinner do something to take up some time, then come out after a wile and see if there is any fluid where it shouldnt be, on the ground, the inner fender, suspension parts. You get the idea.
As for the 74 with the leaking master cyl. and you say you have a new seal on the Lid how does the wire look that holds it in place? That just might not be securing it down enough to apply enough pressure or is your sealig surface on the lid streight? Try the Lid off the '76' on the '74' and see if that helps.
I know you have probbably looked at all this stuff b4 but I'm taking a long shot here. I hope this helps a little.
turbowagonman
I have a couple of quick thoughts. On the 74, what causes fluid to escape from the master is a build up of pressure in the system and/or a poor seal on the lid. When you bleed them, do you do all 4 wheels starting with the wheel farthest from the master?
On the 76, you said it has a new master. Did you bench bleed it before installing it?
On any car that leaks fluid without showing stains, if it has power brakes it could be leaking into the brake booster. Disconnect the vacuum hose between the booster and the engine and see if there is a trace of brake fluid in the hose.
Quote from: WagonNut on April 16, 2007, 07:01:30 PM
On any car that leaks fluid without showing stains, if it has power brakes it could be leaking into the brake booster. Disconnect the vacuum hose between the booster and the engine and see if there is a trace of brake fluid in the hose.
I totally forgot about it leaking at the Power booster. Dooooo!
Great thought!
turbowagonman
Yes I bench bled the new master cylinder. The seal is good on both cars and the spring thing is very tight on both of them, almost takes a screw driver to pry it off. Both cars have manual brakes. I dont have any concrete around here to park on, to see if i have any leaks anywhere. My driveway is all gravel :-( Part of the problem may be the fact that i use a one man brake bleeder but i dont know. Its seems on the 76 that if i bleed the right rear brake (which is the first one i bleed - RR LR RF LF) then the brakes actually feel fine after that. Leads me to beleive i may have a leak between the brake hose and the right rear. The other car, i bled just the front brakes, when the rear section of the MC went dry. So i think the leak is up front on it. I think i just need to go thru and replace all the hard lines on both cars, but i dread trying to work that long line in and out of the car that goes from front to back. i think when i took the long fuel line off the 76 once, i had to cut it into three pieces to get it apart, and put it back together with rubber line where i cut it. That wont work with the brake lines. LOL. It had to go in there somehow tho.
You might want to check the master cylinder again. I had a simular issue with my 79 wagon a few years back. The original master cylinder went out and I replaced it with a rebuilt unit. About once a month, I would be out of fluid and the pedal would hit the floor. It was leaking out the back, inside the car. I replaced it four times till I got a rebuilt unit that was good.
Thats a good possibility. Ive replaced it twice. Its an A-1 Cardone Brand MC, I havnt had much luck with their crap lmao. I should have spent the extra $15 to get the brand new brake best one.
Yup, I was a poor college kid at the time and bought what I could afford. Now I no longer take the chance, I typically buy new master cylinders for piece of mind.
Quote from: TIGGER on April 17, 2007, 08:02:15 PM
Yup, I was a poor college kid at the time and bought what I could afford. Now I no longer take the chance, I typically buy new master cylinders for piece of mind.
I agree, been there, done that, bought the ticket, and still have the T-Shirt! LOL
I usually spend the extra little bit of $ and get the New/Better ones, on almost all of the parts I buy. Which is part of the reason I usually I only go to Federated or NAPA stores, unless I need Car Soap, Tire Shine and so on.
turbowagonman
I know this is an OLD topic, but I'm sure glad I used the search function....
My brake system has been driving me DAM& crazy. I have replaced the rear brake hardware, all brake hoses, proportioning valve, and master cylinder and STILL cannot get the brake system to work (rears pump up fine, then I can't get air out of the fronts, then the rears lose pedal, and the reservoirs seem to improperly interact).
I bought a Cardone rebuilt master cylinder - I think you guys just told me what I needed to know.
Monday I'll order a new master cylinder. This is one time I think the search function saved me.
Chris
Yea i cant get it to work right either. I wish I could find some brand new FORD master cylinders :)