1987 Mazda B2200, brake issue

Tiny
THAT_GUY
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 MAZDA TRUCK
With regard to the donation:

i'm a college student and because of family difficulties I just moved back home and have not found a job yet, which is why I can't really make a donation right now (this is also the reason I am trying to do this myself). I hope you'll still be able to answer my question, and I will make a donation in the future.

the issue: first off, I read a question about the same issue on the same model of truck but I had a few questions of clarification regarding it. Here is the other post for reference:

Question: 1991 Mazda B2200 2.2L mileage: 180,000. When I apply the brakes the pedal goes almost to the floor before the brakes engage, (when this fist started if I pumped the brakes it helped but that doesn’t work as well anymore), and they seem softer when they engage. If I push harder with my foot it gets a little better, but not as good as normal. I checked the fluid and it is fine. My friend suggested the master cylinder, what do you think? Great site by the way!

Answer: You may have problems with the brakes themselves. Remove all four wheels and inspect the brakes paying close attention to the rear brakes and the self-adjusters. Also, inspect the wheel cylinders for leaking break fluid. If everything is in order, try bleeding the brakes. If the master cylinder is faulty, it could be the cause of your problem as your friend suggested. However, check the other thinks we suggested first.

-my truck is producing the same symptoms. The fluid reservoir is full and there also is a slight increase in pressure when the brake pedal is pumped. The master cylinder for the clutch was recently replace as were the rear brake shoes. Is there a separate master cylinder for the brakes? Also when taking off the wheels what am I looking for in the self-adjusters and what do they look like? Or does this year have self-adjusters? Is there anything else you would recommend I check?

the mileage is 277342, though it had a rebuilt engine at 255000.
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Thursday, January 4th, 2007 AT 12:12 PM

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Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If there's no visible leakage, I will change the brake master cylinder now and bleed it thoroughly.

Beware if there's wear on the pads and shoes it will lower the pedal height. Even with a new M/C
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Thursday, January 4th, 2007 AT 4:03 PM
Tiny
COSMO
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A common problem on b2200's was failures of the master cyl's. But if you have just had the rear shoe's were just replaced you might be far out of adjustment, this would make the pedal come up after pumping it a few times quickly since the shoes would push out further but eventually retract in.

Were either of the wheel cylinders replaced at the same time, the b2200's are nasty to bleed all the air out of the rear brake lines.

Yes, there is a separate master cylinder for both the brake and clutch, so rule that one out.

Come to think of it, I once had to replace the master cyl on my own b2200!

Oh a quick way to see if your rear shoes are adjusted properly is: Does you e-brake lever pull really far out before engadment? If so needs adjusting. If good and tight. No problems there probably.

Quick check on the master is to get some one to pump the brakes and take the cap off of the resevoir. If you see any air bubbles coming up you more than likely have a poor or faulty master cyl.

If you have any doughts, take it to a professional. Here in Canada you have to be a licenced technician to work on brakes and suspension. So if you have to ask how to do it, you probably shouldn't be doing it.

A Master cyl. Should not take more than 1-1.5 hours to replace.

Cosmo. Mazda Tech
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Thursday, January 4th, 2007 AT 5:04 PM

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