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+ $24.16 Refundable Core Charge
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemical which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
+ $23.06 Refundable Core Charge
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemical which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
+ $27.45 Refundable Core Charge
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemical which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
+ $4.39 Refundable Core Charge
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemical which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
+ $6.59 Refundable Core Charge
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemical which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
+ $14.27 Refundable Core Charge
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemical which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
+ $14.27 Refundable Core Charge
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemical which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
+ $46.12 Refundable Core Charge
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemical which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
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When There's Smoke, There's Fire: Troubleshooting Ford Thunderbird's Brake Booster
Your Ford Thunderbird's brake booster is built to multiply the force you apply to the brake pedal, causing the car to stop or slow down. It does so effectively using an internal diaphragm, which may get punctures and other mechanical failures after years of service. Here are some of the common problems encountered on Ford Thunderbird brake booster:
Hardened brake and difficulty in pressing down the brake pedal
A heavy pedal may likely be the result of vacuum or fluid leaking from the booster. To check if your car's brake booster is leaking, inspect the pistons, valves, and hoses for signs of wear and damage. Since the internal diaphragm, which provides the vacuum for the brake, may harden over time, it's important that you also inspect it for punctures and other damage.
Another possible cause of a heavy pedal is car vacuum damage. Verify if your car vacuum is damaged by holding the brake pedal down then starting the engine. The brake pedal should pull down slightly when the engine is started. If this doesn't happen, then the vacuum needed by your car is insufficient. Use a vacuum gauge to check for adequate vacuum. The booster should have a vacuum level of around 16-20 inches.
Longer distance for the brake to stop the vehicle
The brake booster is connected to the rear of the master cylinder using a pin. This pin shoves the interior valve open in the brake booster. If the length of the pin is inappropriate for the booster, either too short or too long, then the valve will not open at the exact time needed. Due to this malfunction, the pressure required to stop the vehicle is not activated, and it takes a longer distance for your brake to stop the car.
Whining or hissing noise when braking
As part of your vehicle's power braking system, a broken booster can create a significant amount of noise when you step on the brakes. This is most likely caused by a hole or other problems with the vacuum line attached to the brake booster. Air is forced through the holes in the vacuum line, producing the hissing or whining noise you hear when you brake.
Your Ford Thunderbird receives an increased braking performance thanks to your vehicle's brake booster. It boosts the pressure on the brake pedal so that the foot pressure you need to exert on brakes is lessened. Keep your Ford Thunderbird brake booster in optimum condition with these care and maintenance tips:
- Use only safe cleaning materials. Degreaser, brake cleaner, and a wire brush are some of the cleaning materials safe to use when cleaning the brake booster. When using the wire brush, be sure that the pressure applied to the booster is just enough to remove dirt and grime. If too much brushing force is exerted, the booster may obtain scratched and may even get cracked.
- Exercise caution when adjusting the brake booster push rod. Keep the proper gap measure when adjusting the push rod. This ensures that brake drag and premature brake booster replacement is prevented. Before starting the adjustment, make sure that the booster is not partially applied. Moreover, the adjustment should be done while the engine is running. This is to ensure that the booster has vacuum.
- Prevent fluid contamination. Though brake fluid is said to be good for healing cuts and burns, you should never dip your finger into the fluid reservoir as this may contaminate the brake fluid. Remember that running your car on contaminated brake fluid may cause damage to other parts of the braking system.
- Check for wear or damage on a regular basis. To avoid leaks in the engine vacuum and diaphragm, inspect the brake booster regularly. Check the booster's condition and look for signs of damage, corrosion, cracks, or leaks. If you find any of these signs of damage, repair or replace your brake booster immediately.
- Keep the check valves free of dirt and debris. As an integral part of the brake booster, it's equally important to inspect the check valves for clogging. These valves may get lodged open or closed, causing a power brake failure. When this happens, the first symptom is an audible whistling sound. Look inside the valves to see if there's dirt, grime, or any foreign object. Pour in some cleaning agent into the valve to flush away the dirt and debris.
