Master Cylinder on the way out...

[jcl78]

Well, while getting my new General GMAX AS-03's installed, I had my mechanic check the brakes, because as of late, the pedal has felt spongy and sinks too close to the floor. I immediately though bad M/C, but this soon? 38K miles. Maybe the pads are worn or there is air in the system...  So he checks it out, we start with a brake flush to rule it out, he checks all brake lines at each corner for leaks, the flush does not help the issue. Sure enough, it has to be the M/C. The brake booster works fine and checks out. He is looking for the best price shipped to his shop, and we will change it out next week. Anyone else had issues with their M/C? I might have just had a defective part or perhaps the previous owner did a brake flush without a bleeder and pushed the seal too far. Oh well.

 

[BiGMaC]

kind of a bummer... But glad you found it without suddenly not having brakes!

 

[jcl78]

Thanks Mac, yeah it def is better than losing it in traffic! I love my SHO, and I miss driving her already (wife and I are carpooling in our Xterra until the new M/C is in place) I just got the new tires, and the ride is amazing, but I can't enjoy them!

 

[SHOdded]

Glad you caught it in time!  More common to hear of booster failures, brake line failures than MC failures on recent Fords.  May be time to upgrade to 2013+ brake system? 

 

[jcl78]

Glad you caught it in time!  More common to hear of booster failures, brake line failures than MC failures on recent Fords.  May be time to upgrade to 2013+ brake system? 

I thought about it! I am thinking perhaps my SHO (Job 1 car) had one of a bad batch perhaps... not sure. Brake booster checked out, it def is providing assist. I can almost picture the brake fluid being pushed through the internal seals of the M/C when I press on the brakes, like Neo seeing the code in the Matrix. Ok, maybe not like that .

I did read about another guy with a 2011 GT500 with 35K miles having the sinking pedal issue, he thought it was the M/C, but the Ford dealer said there was no issues and let him go on his way. He ended up installing a new M/C anyway which fixed the problem. I am glad I have my independent mechanic that I trust (not that all Ford dealers are bad).

 

[futat2]

When you flushed the system with new fluid did your mechanic use the tool for bleeding the ABS system? Not saying he is wrong but if you don't bleed the ABS box correctly it can due the same thing.

 

[jcl78]

When you flushed the system with new fluid did your mechanic use the tool for bleeding the ABS system? Not saying he is wrong but if you don't bleed the ABS box correctly it can due the same thing.

Yes he did, and it felt the same before the flush as it did after. My mechanic has an open shop, so I can see everything he is doing. Been going to him for awhile now with excellent service everytime. The symptoms are classic M/C.

 

[jcl78]

Back from the shop, whoa nelly was it ever the M/C. Braking is spot on now. The pedal is still on the soft side (a normal trait for SHO's) but the bite from the brakes now is confidence inspiring instead of scary. He mentioned using the tool for the ABS cycling to get the air out of the system. I am really glad to have found this guy, we shot the breeze for awhile and he showed me a few of his side projects including a 1971 International Scout II with no rust through on the floor pans. Pretty cool project.

 

[BiGMaC]

Glad you got your "Whoa Power" back! 

Yea, I love the old square body Scouts!  Old jeeps too... I did a 350 Ford engine transplant into a '47 Willys.... When they get overpowered these old 4X4s are real fun!