FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / Today's Breakdown and Tow

**Posted by NKey149** 9/01/2024 12:55 PM

It's never happened, but got stranded on the side of the road today and had her towed to the shop. I'll explain the scenario and see if someone can help with what went wrong and if I caused it. 1969 Mustang Coupe, 351w. Just yesterday I replaced the idler arm. It had a non power steering idler on it and I installed a PS one. The angle was slightly different, sat higher and the PS slave cylinder touched the bottom of the oil pan when turned all the way in one direction. Very slightly. Test drove it last night, steering was tight and felt great.

This morning on the way to a car show, hit 55mph on US 40 and there was a terrible clunk sound underneath the car. Like I ran something over. Stopped and pulled over. I couldn't see anything wrong. Started back up and started driving and it was random clunking/banging from left wheel. Brake pedal would hit the floor then have pressure, then hit the floor, off and on. Tire seemed to drag on occasion too. Clunking was worse the faster I got. I pulled off and had it towed as it sounded horrible and randomly had no breaks off and on. I noticed no leaks, master cylinder looked ok. Any ideas on this?

Very coincidental, but could the idler arm replacement have caused some misalignment in the steering system, causing a brake failure somehow? I know someone will recommend a borgeson conversion, but I don't have the money for that right now. Unfortunately. Thanks all!

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 9/01/2024 1:54 PM

I would say its unlikely that something in the steering caused the brakes to work intermittently. I would examine the braking system starting with the left front. What you describe sounds like what happens when a pad wears too thin and gets spit out. Obviously that would only apply to a disc system, but something similar could happen inside a drum I suppose. I think your first thought being that it was somehow related to the work you had just done was a sound one, and certainly check over everything that you did in the steering as well, but I'd be surprised if that ended up being your issue.

**Posted by 6sally6** 9/01/2024 2:26 PM

???.........Got me
I can't think of a way that changing an idler arm could... make your brake pedal drop to the floor and... make a clunking racket from just the left wheel....!
6sally6
(where you from Texas !?)

**Posted by NKey149** 9/01/2024 3:31 PM

I didn't think so either, but wasn't sure. Appreciate the replies! Just a coincidence it appears.

**Posted by MS** 9/01/2024 4:02 PM

Never heard of a brake pedal regaining pressure once it loses it. I would certainly get the right idler arm, but I doubt that had anything to do with the brakes.

Let us know what you find!

**Posted by Nos681** 9/02/2024 7:38 AM

Do you have front drums?

Perhaps the shoe lining broke loose from the steel.
It can happen with bonded shoes.
It will make noise as it slides around inside the drum.

This happened to my wife’s parking brake on her Jeep.

**Posted by NKey149** 9/06/2024 3:50 PM

Well, it was the wheel bearings. The left one exploded and we found it had zero grease inside. I guess the front disc brakes would catch and that's why I had brake pressure off and on. The wheel nearly came off. Close call.

Word of advice... I started this journey two years ago. Mustang Steve told me to change the wheel bearings as one of my first things. I didn't listen. Wish I had. Lesson learned.

**Posted by 6sally6** 9/06/2024 5:34 PM

I hope the spindle(s) are OK !? Heard real horror stories about spindle failure...
I'm glad ya got it figgered out. At least it's a pretty cheap & simple fix.....
6sally6

**Posted by rpm** 9/06/2024 9:33 PM

Did someone say wheel bearing???

**Posted by Alan** 9/07/2024 5:44 AM

You gonna tell him how to install them bearings RPM?

Oh, wait a minute.