well, due to weather and other commitments i hadn't had a chance to get back in to the truck, but last saturday it got up to 68 deg, so i figured i would dive into the system to see what was wrong.
I pulled off the master, took it apart fearing the worst, but it cleaned up nicely with no pitting in the bore and the cups looked good. I put it back on then decided to see if the system would even build pressure and got it to the point i got a bit of pedal and as i was checking the fluid level i heard a hissing noise. it was the front steel line going to the passenger wheel, it had a rust hole in it as Mike had suggested.
I was honestly pretty happy about it, because I would much rather replace cheap lines than the expensive master cylinder ($145) or whatever is on the booster (didn't even price that). So, i replaced all the steel lines on the truck and i got it to the point that it had a good pedal so i fired it up to see if the booster would work and also to move the truck to test them out.
By the time i got to this point it was very dark and have you ever tried to back up a box truck without a passenger side mirror? my neighbor had also parked alot of cars around it. i didn't really feel like running into anything that night, so a short 40 ft burst of speed and hitting the brakes had to suffice for my test, but as best i could tell the brakes work as they should... woo hoo!
Since then I haven't had the ambition to go out in the bitter cold and deep snow to play with it in the daylight.
so, now that i can move it and stop with more than the parking brake, i am eager to make a bunch of laps around the block and maybe drive it to work a few times. still need to do the mirror, check all lights, turn signals, and charging system, but now that i can drive it, it will get some use and attention.
jason
