1976Mustang

So i have an idea on what the issue is, i just want opinions from more experienced people.

2001 Ford Ranger EDGE; never had good brakes, but recently they have gotten so bad i can't drive the truck safely. 10 mph, takes 20 feet at least to stop with the pedal flat on the floor.
I haven't checked the front brakes since they are disk style, and they are not making any noise, so i assume they are still good. Opened the rear brakes and they both have plenty of life in the shoes and the drums looked ok. All i know about brakes is they use hoses, fluid, and pads/shoes to stop something, so yeah.

I've come down to 4 possibilities:
-Drums/Rotors need resurfacing (My neighbor thinks this is the issue)
-Brakes just need bleeding (Neighbor disagreed with this, and said the above)
-Brake booster is shot
-Master cylinder is shot

Opinions? Suggestions? I'm tired of leaving the poor thing in the street and all the brakes places say its fine.

go-part

I would start by bleeding the brakes, eliminate the possibility of air being in the line.

I dont know how often you replace the rotors, but you can only resurface them to a certain point.. You will have to replace them once they get worn down past a certain point.

I would suggest cleaning them first to see if your problem still exists.

Then if you really want to increase the braking capabilities of your truck.. try some ceramic brakes pads(they are a step up from oem).

jnicewan

Since you said the pedal is dropping to the floor you are either losing hydraulic pressure or pressure is not getting built up due to air in fluid or bypass situation. I would look into checking/bleeding air first. Next step might be a guess but maybe the master cylinder is bypassing. A faulty ABS system can do stuff like that too but thats pretty unusual.

I just cannot see resurfacing rotors/drums helping the issue you explained, maybe if you just pad slapped old rotors but still not likely A faulty booster might give you crappy brakes but the pedal should be real hard to push down.

sneakyjap96

If you have a spongy pedal but can some wat stop its air if the pedal goes straight to the floor an after sitting there ots a bad master cylinder bypass from primary to secondary pistons

You will know a booster is bad cause your truck will either run like crap due to vacum leak or the pedal will be rock hard

TbiJeep

If you pump the brake pedal does it firm up it sounds like a air in the line, it was a problem i had with my ranger but could be something else like they stated

1976Mustang

Jezz, i forgot i made this.

Anyways yeah, I read another post and the guy said he repeatedly pumped the brakes and they worked fine for a while, so i went and did the same and they became usable. And i do hear a sorta swishing sound when the pedal comes back up, very small leak maybe?

Funny, i swear i had AAMCO check them. Just can't trust anyone now days. Anyways I'm gonna try and borrow my friends bleeding kit over the weekend and work on that. Thanks for the help guys!

1976Mustang

Yepp, just finished bleeding them. They are stronger than the XJ's, still seem pretty weak for a 1/4ton pickup though.

freegdr

When was last time rears were adjusted ?

1976Mustang

I opened the driver side up a month ago to check them, they have auto adjusters that that side seemed to be working fine.