Brake Failure! Help me diagnose

white_n_slow

Senior Member
So this morning I was heading into work and had a pretty scary issue with the brakes.

Started up, drove about two blocks and stopped at a stop sign from about 20mph. When I came to a stop, there was a loud metallic noise, not quite a clunk, but almost like a *hoot* Weird. Sounded like it was coming from the front right brake/suspension area.

I went :shrug: and kept driving. About two miles later I was slowing down for a red light and the power brakes went out completely. I had zero power assist and had to stomp the pedal with all my might to keep from rolling into the guy in front of me.

Next stop (about 200 feet later) there was a little power assist, but definitely not as much as normal. But when I tried to pull away from this stop, the brakes were locked up as though I were trying to drive with the parking brake on. I gave it the beans and actually did a burnout before the truck started moving again.

Another piece of the puzzle: it was about 3* at the time, and was a low of about -8* last night. Not sure if the temperature played a role.

One more tidbit: a couple weeks ago I was coming to a stop at the end of my alley (gravel) and it seemed like only one brake was working (not sure if it was right front or right rear). The truck came to a stop, but only after dragging a tire through a bunch of gravel and making a scene.

Thankfully this all happened before I got on the highway and I was able to limp home and grab the other car.

HELP PLEASE!
 
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Does it better when the truck warms up? I sorta have the same problem. In the mornings I have zero assist (hard pedal, truck doesnt stop). Does the brake pedal spring back up instantly? I believe there is a check valve in the brake booster or vacuum line that gets frozen or stuck with ice if there is moisture inside. Im in Canada and its -25C here and Ive been having the problem when it is below -15C.
 
I have only heard boosters "hiss", not hoot. Pump the pedal five times after driving with all off. If the pedal keeps going down, then there is a vacuum leak (booster possibly).

I'd look at a possible collapsing front soft brake(s) line as the culprit also.

MC full of clean fluid?
 
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