Hi,
I bought a used 2001 Ranger XLT 4.0 with a sinking brake pedal. I thought the brake pads might have been the problem so I changed the brake pads and bleed the brakes. I was hoping that fixed the issue but no luck. It feels soft when its off and on, there's never pressure. When I press on the pedal more than half feels like air and the last 20% has pressure which helps the truck brake just a little. It basically has no brakes, at low speeds that 20% pedal will stop the truck but at high speed, theres no way stopping quick. What can be the problem? I haven't been able to enjoy this truck! :(
I might replace the master cylinder tomorrow and see how that goes.

 

Welcome to the forum

First thing is to adjust rear brake shoes, its easy
Hold out Parking brake release handle and pump the parking brake pedal, it should get tighter with each pump, you can't over adjust the shoes, so keep pumping until pedal stops at the same point each time


Are you losing brake fluid?
Check Master cylinder level

Park some where with no pre-existing spots of fluid on the surface
Leave engine running, push down brake pedal and hold it down, pushing
release pedal; and repeat that a few times
If you have a leak pedal will usually go all the way to the floor if you hold pedal down long enough

Look under vehicle for fluid, pull forward and check for new spots

Check by the inside of the rear tires

Also 1/2 way between front tire and rear tire on the drivers side, rear brake line runs down that side inside the frame rail, I have had 2 Rangers that had that line rust out between frame rail and gas tank at that location, but brake pedal would go all the way to the floor as you held it down long enough and you would see fluid leaking out.

Yes, you can bleed the brakes, you start with the wheel farthest away from Master, passenger side rear
Then drivers side rear
Then passenger front
Then drivers front

A failing Master cylinder can also cause what you describe, piston seal is leaking inside

 

Thank you RonD! I replaced the master cylinder and the pedal is finally working. The old cylinder was messed up from the inside. It was a quick fix!

I can finally take this beast on adventures!

Now I have the O/D light flashing. The truck kinda has trouble switching gear from 1st to second. It goes to 3k rev and switches to the 2nd gear with a small kick. Sometimes it’s doesnt do it and sometimes it does. Sometimes the O/D light doesn’t show up at all. I replaced the Speed sponsor but no luck with that. There was a leak on the transmission pan, the gasket was the problem. I have changed the tranny oil and filter with brand new gasket. Now there’s no oil leaks. But that damn light still flashing sometimes. Any clue what that might be?

 

Good work on fixing the brakes


If OD light flashes there should be P07xx codes in computers memory

P07xx are transmission trouble codes, they can also come up as P17xx

Code list here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_li...II_codes.shtml

2001 "speed sensor" is the OSS(output shaft speed) sensor, found on the rear of transmission(2WD) or transfer case if 4WD
Speedometer will act up if this sensor is failing