1998 FORD RANGER — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

MY PICKUP HAD UNDIAGNOSED BRAKING DIFFICULTIES SINCE A MILEAGE OF 150. THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT DEPRESS, THEN BREAKS FREE, GREATLY INCREASING MY REACTION TIME. THIS OCCURS UP TO 25 TIMES PER DAY IN VARYING DEGREES. FREEWAY FORD MERCURY HAS ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH THE HELP OF THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER TWICE, THE PROPORTIONING VALVE, LINKAGE, AND OTHER SUSPECTED FAULTY PARTS TO NO AVAIL. ON THE THIRD VISIT IT WAS FOUND THAT MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE CYLINDER HAS NEVER WORKED. THIS WAS REPLACED, BUT HAD NO AFFECT ON THE STICKING BRAKE PEDAL. FOLLOWING THIS VISIT, THE FORD HOTLINE ADVISED THAT I DRIVE THE TRUCK 1,000 ADDITIONAL MILES IN HOPES THAT IT WOULD