Ok so my brake reservior leaks like many others, and I have basically settled to check it each weekend to make sure it isn't seeping or leaking. I took out some fluid like many others have and for the last few weeks it's been bone dry. No leaks. Ok so last night I'm driving and I hit the brakes. Not hard... just normal braking and my brakes chatter and I finally stop. But it was a bit scary for about two seconds. I get home and I think maybe I should check my reservior and sure enough there is some leakage around the cap. Mind you there hasn't been leaking for around three weeks and I checked it on Sunday and no leaks. So I'm pretty certain the leaking happened when the chattering happened. My question is... what the heck do I do now? I'v read that many have taken their cars in, gotten a new booster/reservior and it still has the same problems. Does anyone know of a solution to this problem?? I imagine a certain number of people will have to die or get injured before Ford issues some kind of recall at this point since it's obviously a known problem that isn't being fixed. Don't know... thanks for any help.
I had my reservoir replaced under warranty and it has been fine ever since (about 6 months). The problem is that the filler neck was not molded correctly on quite a few of them. The top edge is not flat so even though there is a gasket in the cap, it still leaks just a little bit. Some folks have put thicker gaskets in or o-rings. One guy had the guts to actually take a sanding block to the neck top and smooth it off. I wasn't that brave. It is a serious problem for Ford. I just hope nothing disasterous happens (like an engine fire) and they have a big recall. It might drive the company closer to bankrupcy. But, I also think they should be more aggressive about doing something about this problem. If you get your dealer to replace the reservoir, just make sure the new one he puts in has an absolutely smooth and flat neck top.
the chattering sounds like an ABS speed sensor problem, like the ABS was pulsating the brakes possibly... was the trac control light illuminated when this happened??
i had a leaky one to. just buy a rubber/ paper gasket sheet and cut out a round piece ( use the cap as a templet) and install under the factory rubber gasket and replace cap. i have had no leaks since. vynle
I don't recall seeing any trac control lights or any lights that were different than usual. I would love to take mine in and get a new one with a proper lip... the problem is how do I know the new one will have the proper lip? Have they been redesigned or is it just luck of the draw?
If I were you I would just take the car in to your dealer. I don't think you are going to get any kind of a hard time about the leak. A lot of people know this is a problem. Just explain to the dealer that you want to be sure that the filler neck on the replacement reservoir is going to be flat and leak free. Ask him to show it to you before they put it in. I can't see any reason why they would object to that. It's a perfectly reasonable request. Good Luck, I hope you get the problems fixed.
When you say "chatter" to you mean audible outside the car or at the pedal? A vibration or pulse at the pedal is the ABS kicking in. Maybe you hit a slick spot on the road. Some old oil or water from a sprinkler or hell even garbage that happened to be under a tire. Enough to cause it to lock and activate the ABS. If you're getting an audible metallic sound, then that is something I'd go to the dealer for asap. Get them to do a ride along and test drive. Then put a .45 to his head and say, "FIX IT." Okay maybe don't do that last part.
I hear you Mr_Q. You just have to hold that .45 only in your mind. They can't arrest you for what you are thinking
