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1st Gen. Ram - All TopicsDiscussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.
See photos in the thread to help diagnose my ***.
This has been going on for awhile.
A few years back I had the wheel cylinders rebuilt because the right rear was weeping. I had a major axle service going on at the time, and had the brakes done as well.
A few more years back I replaced the power booster, and master cylinder.
If I look at all of the lines running through the truck everything is bone dry.
I can't see under the drums because I don't have the space, or tools to remove the rear axles so it's possible the rears have a leak again, but if I take a flash light in look through all the little holes I don't see any moisture in there.
That doesn't mean there isn't a weep, but I can't see anything.
So outside of a possible leak in the rear wheel cylinders is there anything you see in these pictures that gives a clue?
The bottom of the master cylinder is damp, but no drip onto anything below.
Thanks in advance
-mickey
Rear brakes losing fluid faster than front kinda wet on the driver side can't see any obvious leaks definitely wet on the bottom
From the pictures, I would suspect the rear seal on the master cylinder...Unbolt it from the power booster without loosening the lines and pull it out far enough to either confirm or clear it as a suspect......Ben
From the pictures, I would suspect the rear seal on the master cylinder...Unbolt it from the power booster without loosening the lines and pull it out far enough to either confirm or clear it as a suspect......Ben
That's what I think too.
My oldman thought it might be leaking INTO the power booster, and that would be from the same place.
Master cylinders are cheap so it's suspect.
Rock Auto has 5 different ones all around the same price which leads me to believe they're all coming from the same chinese factory.
If anyone has a suggested or preferred replacement vendor I'm wide open to suggestions.
The rear/larger reservoir is for the front disc brakes. The disc calipers don't retract as the pads wear down so the fluid in the reservoir will slowly go down. Just replenish it as necessary. It does look like you have a weeping seal however so you should probably replace the master cylinder and fully bleed/flush the system starting with the right rear then the left rear then right front and finally the left front brake. this gets rid of any debris and water accumulated in the system. Water causes rust and then the rust kills the seals.
Thanks Ed,
I'm intimately familiar with braking systems, and this one in particular.
I have to manually adjust the rears, and bleed it all the time, but the really low front chamber/ rear brakes is the suspicious subject.
The MCs are so cheap I might as well just replace it when I take the old one off to look at the seal.
Thanks Ed,
I'm intimately familiar with braking systems, and this one in particular.
I have to manually adjust the rears, and bleed it all the time, but the really low front chamber/ rear brakes is the suspicious subject.
The MCs are so cheap I might as well just replace it when I take the old one off to look at the seal.
that looks like an old n busted rusted Master . Time to think about NOT being pennywise and pound foolish? This is your TRUCK not your car. They need to stop . ( that's just how I feel) hope it works out for you!
its prob leaking past the lid, btdt. when you let off the brake pedal a small pulse of fluid jets up and hits the inside of the lid which then runs down and past the lid gasket.. my fix was to hydroboost swap it using an early 90`s gm setup with a plastic reservoir master cylinder.
its prob leaking past the lid, btdt. when you let off the brake pedal a small pulse of fluid jets up and hits the inside of the lid which then runs down and past the lid gasket.. my fix was to hydroboost swap it using an early 90`s gm setup with a plastic reservoir master cylinder.
That would be my guess as well.
My '91.0 looses some fluid. Basically same symptoms, same looking master. That is my bet to my problem, and yours.
I am leaning to a hydro boost swap at some point if it get worse, or I find the time, which ever comes first.
its prob leaking past the lid, btdt. when you let off the brake pedal a small pulse of fluid jets up and hits the inside of the lid which then runs down and past the lid gasket.. my fix was to hydroboost swap it using an early 90`s gm setup with a plastic reservoir master cylinder.
I was thinking about this, but sort of blew it off.
when I pull the cap to check the fluid it's always wet under the gasket.
So the simple clip that holds the master cap on isn't putting enough pressure on the lid?
I might experiment a little bit with cleaning it up, and maybe putting a hose clamp around the thing, or a couple and see if that helps.
This master is maybe 10 years old.
How often to people replace their masters?
I would at least pull the master and see if it is leaking into the booster
Given how crappy, and rusty mine is, and how cheap they are to buy new I might as well get a new one.
I have new rubber lines I need to install as well, and I can do a full system flush after that.
Of the 8 varieties on offer from Rock Auto https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...+cylinder,1836
Does anyone have an opinion on which to get?
I would at least pull the master and see if it is leaking into the booster
You could also pull the vacuum line and take a syringe with some small tubing attached to the syringe and put the tubing in the booster and draw it out to see if there is fluid in the bottom.
...Ben
