ok, for a while i was having a very hard time trying to stop my truck, i would drive and all of a sudden it felt like i had now power brakes, i mean rock hard pedal, and no slowing down, then while i was standing on the brake pedal, simutaniously praying to god, it would give and it would come to a hault. I said thank you to JC, and kept right on going.

So i read a post that mentioned the rear proportioning valve, and sure enough mine was off the rod, and pointed strait down, so I'm pretty sure i had no rear brakes. I zip tied it up, and VOLIA! my truck stops...better. Actually i've locked up the rear end a few times but nothing to bad.

The thing is I am still getting that occasional loss of power brakes, where i have a rock hard pedal, so i down shift and give it a few seconds and it usually fixes itself and comes back.

I've topped off my PS fluid, new front pads came on the truck, Break fluid is topped off, so what gives.

Opinions would be fantastic.
thanks guys

 

Your hydroboost or P-steering pump is shot, usually if its the pump you dont get BOTH steering and brakes only one or the other, try operationg both at the sametime and see what happens

a PS pump is about 100$ and 1hr to swap out
Hydro boost is about 300$ and 15mins to swap out

I'd bet on the hydroboost (got any more symptoms to help narrow it down)

there are some tests
1. start truck, shut it down wait a couple of minuits (or longer, like next day would be better) then pump brakes you should have a couple of brake applications before the pedal gets rock hard if the pedal is hard right from the get go your hydro is shot.

2.now that the brakes are "hard" keep them depressed and start the truck it should (pedal) sink alittle and act like normal brakes if it takes a long time for this to happen it could be a pump or hydroboost

3.engine off, and brakes pumped to use up the boost the blue/gold can should be tight and not wiggle, if it wiggles and you restart the truck and check again and its tight >>>replace hydroboost!

4, leave cap off the PS resivor and then shut the truck off if you see the PS fluid rising more than 1/2 inch replace the hydroboost, this problem occurs usually ONLY in the cold weather

 

ok, went outside, truck has been sitting overnight

Checked Hydo can, tight no play at all...

Pumped the brakes, they were very hard, maybe 1/2"-1" play at most in pedal but they were tight, but after about 5 pumps that little play i had at first was gone.

with brake pedal depressed, started the truck and the pedal softened up, took a second or two but wasnt timing, it didnt seem like a realy really long time.

It happens more often when i first start off, before the truck is really warmed up......but it does happen once it's wamed up too, so that might not helpt.

When the pedal is hard, and im pushing down trying to stop...it feels almost lik a ABS pump is going, i will feel it clicking. and once or twice as soon as it gave in, the truck went HARD right...

so........

 

Do you have 4wheel abs?? if it sounds like the ABS is cycling try pulling the ABS fuse or unplug the connectors from the ABS pump/controller, it is possible that the ABS thinks your on ice and is reducing your brake effort, but even if it was cycling your pedal should not be really hard..

I dont know what to say but I'd have to gamble on the hydroboost as faulty, mostly based on your response that you had no assist after the truck had been sitting for a while, and you never commented on if the truck has any issues using the steering and brakes at the same time, so I'm assuming that you dont have an issue with that

 

Im not sure if i have 4 wheel ABS, how can i check? Also i havent noticed that i loose both power steering and brakes at the same time, it's usually just the brakes, but usually going strait when it happens.

If it is the Hydro, is it just that blue/gold can? or the entire assembly? I have seen a few hydro boost assemblies, including the MS, and some lines on ebay. for a decent price.

I just want to get my truck to the point where it can be a reliable daily driver.

 

Open the hood and look up.
There should be a tag under the hood listing the truck's options.

 

12v's except for 98's all had rear wheel abs only im not positive about 98's having 4 wheel abs even.

 

Both my '95s have 4 wheel ABS. It was an option I had to pay a hundred or so bucks for.

 

4 wheel ABS will have a wire running with the front brake lines to the front wheel sensor in the unit bearing.