The brake system on your Ford Mustang requires periodic inspection and maintenance. Unfortunately, it is not until we notice strange smells, noises or mechanical changes coming from a brake component that we start to pay attention to the system. For the most part, lack of maintenance is the main cause of most brake system troubles, which makes diagnosing and solving the problem much easier. However, neglect the symptoms, and you are asking for serious trouble on the road.
Checking the Hydraulic System
First, check for the most obvious cause of brake problems. Make sure the brake fluid level on the brake master cylinder is correct. The master cylinder is located inside the engine compartment, in front of the steering wheel and mounted on a cylindrical unit called the brake booster. Add the brake fluid recommended on your car owners manual, if necessary.
Check the brake booster and the vacuum hose attached to it for signs of wear or damage. Problems on the booster housing or hose may cause vacuum to leak, and leave your brakes extremely difficult to operate.
Then check for possible leaks around the master cylinder and the brake lines that connect to it. Make sure the connections are tight. James E. Duffy, on Modern Automotive Technology, recommends running your fingers along the lines to check for hard to detect leaks. Inspect the brake hoses that join the lines to the brake assemblies on each wheel. Remove the tires, and use a flashlight to look for wet spots around the hoses and the back of the wheel assemblies. If necessary, replace the brake hoses.
Inspecting Wheel Brake Assemblies
Once you remove the tires, check the brake pads, shoes, rotors and drums for wear, damage and wet spots that might indicate fluid leaks or grease contamination. As a rule of thumb, the linings on the pads and shoes should be thicker than the back plate on which they are mounted. Closely examine the rotors and drum braking surfaces for heat checks, scores and cracks. If necessary, take your rotors and drums to the auto repair shop for resurfacing.
When removing the drums on the back wheels, inspect the wheel cylinder. This is a small cylinder mounted on the upper section of the back plate. Pull back the rubber boots on each side of the cylinder to check for brake fluid leaks. A leaking cylinder can be rebuilt or replaced. Inspect the drum brake mechanism like springs; hold down the springs and adjuster star wheel to check for missing or binding parts.
If your Ford Mustang model is equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), and the system light flashes on your dashboard as you drive, your vehicle computer has detected a malfunction. You can use a scan tool to retrieve any trouble codes stored in the computer memory to diagnose the malfunction, or have the auto shop look at the problem.
For help locating brake system components or required maintenance intervals for your specific Mustang model, you may consult your car owners or vehicle service manual. Most auto parts stores carry service manuals, and your local public library might have several of these manuals for reference.
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