my g/f's 92 Explorer (Eddie Bauer) blew a master cylinder this weekend... she says it's actually the third one she's gone through... Is the a common problem for Explorers? Is this indicative of something else I should be looking at? TH "There are only three ways to approach any problem: ignore it, complain about it, or do something. The first two don't work."

Blew a master cylinder eah? How do you mean blew? It just doesn't work anymore? The biggest cause of these failing is heat. Second is old fluid, or bad fluid. Since she has gone through one already, I suppose the fluid is good. I would say it probably heat. How often does she go through brakes? When the brake is pushed much of the fluid goes into the calipers and is heated when you, ....say ride the brakes. Then on release the fluid goes back to the master cylinder and heats up the rubber boots that push the fluid, breaking them down. The other is bad brake fluid that may eat the seals up, but I've not heard of that in the last few years.   Chris Robertson

Blew as in the boots were completely shot, and it wasn't holding and fluid. Since her mom has had the car the last 4 years, it's very likely that she rides the brakes to death... especially since I looked at her repair sched. for brakes, and every like 18 mo she seems to be needing new ones. TH >Blew a master cylinder eah? How do you mean blew? It just doesn't work anym= >ore? >The biggest cause of these failing is heat. Second is old fluid, or bad flu= >id. Since she has >gone through one already, I suppose the fluid is good. >I would say it probably heat. How often does she go through brakes? >When the brake is pushed much of the fluid goes into the calipers and is he= >ated when you, >....say ride the brakes. Then on release the fluid goes back to the master = >cylinder and >heats up the rubber boots that push the fluid, breaking them down. >The other is bad brake fluid that may eat the seals up, but I've not heard = >of that in the last few years. > >Chris Robertson >Chris.Robertson@... >

Had a 92 (4wd xlt) and had to replace the master cylinder ONCE in 150K+ miles.  Can't remember anymore what the mileage was at the time - 75-100K maybe?  Couldn't swear to it.  Brakes/calipers are a different story.  Had to replace calipers several times.  Shoddy workmanship I think.
Can't tell you why she's had to replace the m/c 3 times.  Maybe inferior parts?  Don't know that the mechanic could have screwed anything up putting them in.
Ever had the brake fluid completely flushed?  I'd recommend doing that if you replace a master cylinder.

Have a 92 LXT, 4x4 with 170k miles.  Have never rebuilt the master cylinder.  Now of the fourth set of brakes.

CC

Well, I flushed it out completely this time.... since the reservior was bone dry when I looked at it, I can't tell how bad the old fuild was. I'm thinking that maybe her mother (who's driven the car all that time) must have either driven in 4WD or Drive way too much causing her to superheat the brakes, or just rode the brakes too long when stopping... the MC seems to me a little small for a 4wd anyway, so it probably just kept getting superheated fluid pulling back into it and melting it out. Now that I can keep a closer eye on it, we'll see what happens. Tom Haswell 77 Granada (Highway car) 90 Tempo Turbo-4 ("fun car") 93 Explorer Eddie Bauer (g/f's car) >Had a 92 (4wd xlt) and had to replace the master cylinder ONCE in 150K+ >miles. Can't remember anymore what the mileage was at the time - 75-100K maybe? >Couldn't swear to it. Brakes/calipers are a different story. Had to replace >calipers several times. Shoddy workmanship I think. >Can't tell you why she's had to replace the m/c 3 times. Maybe inferior >parts? Don't know that the mechanic could have screwed anything up putting them >in. >Ever had the brake fluid completely flushed? I'd recommend doing that if you >replace a master cylinder. > >>

There is a difference between riding the brakes and using the brakes up. If you power brake, you can use lots of brake pads and have less heat, or ride the brakes and heat the fluid which damages the brakes, master cylinder and the rotors. It is the leading cause of warped roters. (I believe)   If you don't believe that the brake riding will stop, there is a brake cooler that you can find online. I also recommend getting a transmission cooler too. I've yet to get mine. I'm a little slow sometimes.   Tell me more about this tempo turbo sometimes. I've not heard of that. Chris Robertson

The brake color sounds like an excellent idea... I"m kinda upset I didn't think of that one myself! The "Turbo Tempo" isn't stock, it's a pure custom job... stock 2.3, rebuilt with lighter lifters and HD cylinders, with an aftermarket turbocharger. More than able to get out of the way, and so much fun to watch people try to figure out what it is! I built it for my sister, she wanted something more "quick" that top-end. TH >There is a difference between riding the brakes and using the brakes up. >If you power brake, you can use lots of brake pads and have less heat, or >ride the brakes and heat the fluid which damages the brakes, master cylinder >and the rotors. It is the leading cause of warped roters. (I believe) > >If you don't believe that the brake riding will stop, there is a brake cooler that >you can find online. >I also recommend getting a transmission cooler too. I've yet to get mine. >I'm a little slow sometimes. > >Tell me more about this tempo turbo sometimes. I've not heard of that. >Chris Robertson >Christopher.T.Robertson@... >