I think I did a bad thing.

• I replaced my brake pads because the warnings were hitting the rotor.
• 2 weeks later my brakes built pressure, heated up, and slowed the truck. I had to bleed the brakes on the road to release the pressure and drive home.
• I replaced the Master Cylinder.
• Two weeks later the brakes did it again.
• I replaced the calipers, and it happened again on the test drive.

While I am driving, the pressure is building within the brake system and not being released causing the brakes to slowly lock as I drive. If I give the system time it will slowly release. The only thing I have not replaced is the booster and ABS parts. Talking to a brake specialist, he told me it sounds like I contaminated the ABS system with power steering fluid. $2800 +/-

What do you think?

Human error and family genes. . . I might have done it.

 

highly doubt contaminated fluid will cause brakes to do this, and how did they get contaminated, did you pour something in there?
Do you have 4wabs? or rear wheel abs? 2800$ to flush and replace parts, your brake specialist, sounds like a con artist

also a bad booster will cause brakes to lock up on their own

Bad flex lines act like a one way check valve, after using the brakes they wont release

 

 

Did you add brake fluid that was contaminated? Did you use the correct pads? Heavy duty pads are thicker and used on 4X4 trucks and 3500. Did just the fronts heat up or rears also? Did the brakes release after opening bleeder fitting? Try loosening master cylinder from booster and if brakes release then the hydroboost is most likely bad.

 

sorry, I did replace the flex lines.

I may have used power steering fluid in the master cylinder, i dont know.

Over the course of a few minutes the pressure will relieve itself.

4 wheel ABS

 

Supposedly, the petroleum base of other engine fluids will expand the rubber components of the ABS system and prevent the release of the brakes.

I dont know how true it is because it should work both ways, compress and decompress. That is why I am asking you guys

 

If the black rubber gasket on the master cylinder cap is swollen up then you have contaminated the brake fluid with petroleum base oil. The brake system needs to be completely flush out and all brake components needs to be replaced.

 

I agree with BigIron70. Once the brake system has been contaminated by power steering fluid it can distort all the rubber components within the master cylinder, ABS unit, brake hoses, calipers,wheel cylinders and booster.

 

Yes, very true that power steering fluid will contaminate the brake system, as its rubber components aren't compatible with petroleum. As mentioned, the rubber gasket on the master cylinder cap will expand and become gooey, as will all rubber components in the brake system. All brake hydraulic components with rubber parts will need replacement, and all remaining lines will require flushing.

 

I am trying to price my new project and can not find the ABS unit anywhere? Where can I get it and how much should it cost?

 

So do you know for sure you dumped ps fluid in the resvoir? it should be noticable, PS fluid is much thicker than Brake fluid, and if contaminated it should not swell everything too quickly,and you might be able to save it, I'd try sucking fluid out of the resivor topping up with fresh fluid then flush/bleed the brake system again...

 

It sounds like it is already too late. His brakes were staying engaged, meaning the brake hoses were swelling shut inside, and the caliper seals were swelling and not letting the pistons return. The contamination will have worked its way to the bottom of the system now.

 

About two months ago my power steering pump went out and I had it replaced. I am beginning to think somehow, my fault or the shops, PS fluid did get into the brake system.

 

Has anybody else had this problem? Any pointers?
I have been told to replace all of the parts, which I will. But, I have also been told to remove all brake lines, clean them with alcohol, let them dry, and then re-install them.

 

As we now know, rubber parts are not compatible with petroleum based fluids. The best test used to discover petroleum-based fluids is the water test, which is as follows:
1. Remove a small amount of the suspect fluid from the reservoir, preferably with a clean turkey baster or equivalent device. It is ideal to pull the fluid from the top of the reservoir due to the fact petroleum-based fluids are lighter than brake fluid.
2. Place the suspect fluid in a clean clear container filled partially with
water. If there is petroleum based fluid in the brake fluid it will separate and float to the top. If two layers form then you have a contaminated system.

In addition to replacement of the brake system components, all of your steel brake lines will have to be flushed to remove any traces of the petroleum-
based fluid. Using brake fluid to do this will not remove the contaminants. It is a best practice to use either denatured alcohol or brake clean to perform the cleaning. Flush enough cleaner through each brake line to ensure all contaminants are removed. If you have acces to an air supply that is is dry, blow each line out, if not, let the lines air dry. I hope you find this information helpful.