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  •  » There and back again (brakes)

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    12/29/2024 6:09 AM  #1

    John Ha
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Mitchell, SD
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 898

    There and back again (brakes)

    Yesterday was pleasant so I decided to take the car out for a spin.  

    Had an inauspicious start when part of my pencil tire guage flew across the floor while checking the tires.  A bit later, I met a semi (this was on a back road) apparently coming from a construction job and heard a snap.  Later I found a chip in the middle of my pristine windshield.

    But the drive was pleasant.  The brake pedal was firm and the brakes worked beautifully .... until I was on the last leg of the drive, sitting at a stoplight waiting for the green.  The brake pedal slowly sank down as though there was a leak in the system.  That's after less than 50 miles of light use.  

    I came very close to having a Yosemite Sam moment.

    Got home and looked under the car and around all the fittings.  There were no leaks outside and the fluid levels in the master cylinder bowls are where they were when I finished bleeding and put the cap on it.  I'm guessing that that new master cylinder, made in China, has decided that it's not going to work any longer.  That's much worse than the 4600 miles I got out of the one I replaced.  I don't know where that one was made.

    I have another new one, a Raybestos unit that I found on Amazon, that is also for power front disc/rear drum.  It's also made in China.   Do I dare?

    I'm tempted to go back to the stock manual disc/drum master cylinder that was on it when I bought the car.  I drove it with that for 15 trouble-free years.

    OK, I'm done whining.  I have to do something to fix it.  I have until March when the car goes to the painters, and will post when it's done.

    Last edited by John Ha (12/29/2024 9:08 AM)

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    12/29/2024 8:15 AM  #2

    TKOPerformance
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,422

    Re: There and back again (brakes)

    All things made in China aren't equal.  Quality is typically the product of the company having them made, so I would feel more confident with the Raybestos one.  I would also see about returning the one that failed.  Locally I've never had an issue with a NAPA sourced master cylinder, though you will pay a bit of a premium for it.  You may also have a Berodin near you.  My neighbor uses their parts a lot, because they have a labor warranty as well.  If the part fails prematurely they cover a set amount of time to replace the part with a new one provided under warranty.  As a professional mechanic that's a better deal for him.  To my mind it also means they have skin in the game and more confidence in the parts they sell. 

    This type of stuff definitely sucks and its why in the past 10 years I've gravitated to buying mostly OEM parts when I can.  As a rule I do use Raybestos and Bendix brake parts, Mevotech chassis parts, and Randy's gearsets.  I consider those manufacturers to be as good if not better than OEM quality. 
     

     

    12/29/2024 12:29 PM  #3

    rpm
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
    Posts: 3,595

    Re: There and back again (brakes)

    I feel your pain brother. I do believe pert near ever Mustang owner and you tube car channel has had it with crap new parts.  My 69 came with power steering and brakes, which in my effort to keep it simple, were removed back in 2016. We haven't met John, but I'm an out of shape 68 year old guy, and unless I suffer a physical injury I'm keeping the manual steering and brakes.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    12/29/2024 3:39 PM  #4

    John Ha
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Mitchell, SD
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 898

    Re: There and back again (brakes)

    Thanks guys. 

    I think I'm going to try the Raybestos one.  I'll have to plumb in that residual pressure valve but that's not a huge deal.  And maybe I should also get the family-size 5 gallon bucket of Dot 4 brake fluid while I'm getting the line to add the residual valve. :-\

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