power assisted brake??? HELP

[ndennis93]

My buddy has an E350 with a BD programmer. He took off this morning to go to the store and when he got ready to apply the brakes he said he had none.???????? Anyone know what whats going on? He said he heard a loud ticking coming from the driver side engine compartment.

Any suggestions?

[bigcountrysg]

First check brake fluid. If there is none then refill resevior and bleed brakes. Look for leaks.

If there are no leaks in the system, check for leaks from the hydroboost. If no leaks are found from the hydroboost. Then three things could be the problem.

Either the powersteering pump is failing or the Hydroboost is failing, or it is the brake pedal assembly.

Check the level of the powersteering pump fluid. Does he have good powersteering. If he has good powersteering and the fluid level is correct. Then the only other two things it could be is the Brake Pedal Assembly or the Hydro-Boost itself.

[ndennis93]

Thanks!

I just spoke with hima again and he said that the pedal was really really hard. And he went through an intersection running 70+mph because he couldn't get it to slow down!!!!

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by ndennis93

Thanks!

I just spoke with hima again and he said that the pedal was really really hard. And he went through an intersection running 70+mph because he couldn't get it to slow down!!!!

That tells me it is either the hydro boost or the master cylinder.

He needs to stop driving the truck. Park the dang thing have it towed home or to a shop.

[CHUCK]

Vaccum pump?

[ndennis93]

Originally Posted by bigcountrysg

That tells me it is either the hydro boost or the master cylinder.

He needs to stop driving the truck. Park the dang thing have it towed home or to a shop.

It happened first thing this morning. He has already contacted the dealer and plans to have it towed there. He's not driving the van.

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by CHUCK

Vaccum pump?

The Vaccum Pump has nothing to do with the brake system on our trucks. The power booster for the power brakes receives hydraulic pressure from the powersteering pump.


Another thing it could be though is the ABS control.

[CHUCK]

Ahhh...learn something new everyday

[dieselcrawler]

Look into the ABS... I have simular problems with my van too... brakes are good, fluids is fine, plenty of power steering, but I feel the ABS 'pulse' at times... winter time when the roads are slick, the ABS is doing something, but what is does is make it more un-safe to drive. I'd like to ditch it all together... but when it acts up, it pushes back on the brake pedal, and as your buddy said, makes the pedal 'hard'.

[m-chan68]

Originally Posted by CHUCK

Vaccum pump?

Yes, I would 2nd that. I believe the OP specifically mentioned an E-350 which DOES use a vacuum type brake booster (as opposed to a hydroboost style assist on F-Series and E-450 trucks), that gets its vacuum from an engine driven pump. This is also very consistent with the loud noise heard from the driver side of the engine compartment where the vacuum pump is situated. I know I have replaced more than my fair share of these, on these vans.