When removing the old pads I noticed the left front pads were unevenly worn. What would cause this? a bad sticking piston within the caliper? ------------- Old calipers often stick, sometimes the rubber seal is pinched. --------------- Reinspected the entire hydraulic system for any signs of leaking but found nothing. --------------- If you're loosing any fluid it could be going in your brake booster. --------------- Now when I apply the brakes I frequently loose my brake pedal! --------------- If your engine goes to a very low RPM, it can cause loss of vacuum to the booster. --------------- It goes soft and I must pump it up. --------------- If pumping it up is necessary I'd suspect that the Master Cylinder is loosing pressure. This wouldn't cause an external leak the fluid is just bypassing the seal. You can wipe out an old master cylinder if ....... when you bleed the brakes you pump the old cylinder hard enough to make it pass into damaged or corroded cylinder walls below what has been the normal operating stroke of the cylinder. ---------------- Also when I am turning I here an occasional squealing and or dragging. ---------------- I can't explain that in any way other than it must be the low speed and your callipers aren't floating back to a neutral location. Its a very slight backing off but adequate for no contact clearance. ----------------- How do I determine if I need to replace a caliper? ----------------- Most likely your calipers are the full 20 years old just like the rest of your van, I'd plan on replacing them although it isn't an emergency situation. I found one more interesting thing when I replaced my complete front and rear braking systems. The old brake lines had interior clearance about the size of a round toothpick or less, the new hoses have about 1/8" line ID. This condition could prohibit the normal return to neutral position of your calipers. ----------------- Could my problem be as simple as just bleeding the system? Could my master cylinder be going bad ? AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks gatorxray@earthlink.net Mike ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com |
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