Had a serious issue off-roading, ranger design flaw?

[Steven D Tipton]

Brake fluid is Dot 4 VOC, not normal dot 4. Might want to flush system if you used DOT 4 regular. I doubt little store had it. People will want to debate this, not interested. What Ford Ranger calls for. Good luck
Again, Ford recommends. Not saying you can't but me personally I wouldn't, not sure there's any combability issues.

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[WOADKIL]

I am not crazy how exposed the torsion springs are on the rear brakes, they are just hanging out in the open. I can see how those can be tweaked or popped off by hitting the right object off road. Saw this after inspecting following an off road trip to Black Canyon near Hinkley.

Thought of putting a non interfering keeper wire to hold the spring in case it did pop off and then would be able to pop back on.

Just need to catch on the spring end at the lower end to pop it off. (Maybe a parking brake return spring?)

 

[Frenchy]

I am not crazy how exposed the torsion springs are on the rear brakes, they are just hanging out in the open. I can see how those can be tweaked or popped off by hitting the right object off road. Saw this after inspecting following an off road trip to Black Canyon near Hinkley.

Thought of putting a non interfering keeper wire to hold the spring in case it did pop off and then would be able to pop back on.

Just need to catch on the spring end at the lower end to pop it off. (Maybe a parking brake return spring?)

Understanding your concern I can say I never had a single issue on my Ranger Taking It Off Road hitting anything near those brakes. It probably helped that I still have the factory wheels with no spacers

 

[Bludrok]

Brake fluid is Dot 4 VOC, not normal dot 4. Might want to flush system if you used DOT 4 regular. I doubt little store had it. People will want to debate this, not interested. What Ford Ranger calls for. Good luck
Again, Ford recommends. Not saying you can't but me personally I wouldn't, not sure there's any combability issues.

I totally agree. It's getting a complete flush, but I haven't had a chance to do it yet. I use ATE TYP 200 Racing brake fluid. It's a bit overkill, as I am not ever getting it to racing temps, but have lots left over from my previous car (Honda Civic Si).

What is dot 4 Voc though? Doesn't voc normally just have to do with chemical safety levels?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I hate to admit it, but I had pulled my tree savers out of the truck for another use. I always carry them when off roading, but this was impromptu after skiing, so I did not have them with me. I did do my best to protect the tree though, because I am aware of the damage a winch cable can cause. It's a synthetic rope though, not a cable, so I think that helps as well.

As soon as I got home, I put my tree savers back into the truck.

Hi Jason,

Your wondering if the Ranger had a design defect resulted in my tired old body crawling under my Ranger to look at it with more detail than I had previously. So here goes...

There is certainly exposure of the flex line at the rear but most of the OEM tire "protects" the brake line, but not all...the exposed area is vertical or near so and is behind the caliper.

FMVSS requires dual systems so you should still have had one system working all be it with mushy and long pedal travel.

Offset wheels will result in more exposure to the flex line and might have contributed to the situation.

(personal comment)...I have never been a fan of banjo fittings for brakes...

Since I had no part in the design of the current Ranger but do know the amount of testing that a new program requires, it is likely something like you experienced never occurred. I would recommend opening a formal issue with Ford Customer Care....I know they will likely say, Modified vehicle, the I think the first elephant track needs to be in the system.

Might be time for an aftermarket supplier to offer a SS braided set of rear hoses...Hmmm?

Glad you and daughter had a happy ending....

Best,
Phil

 

[Steven D Tipton]

I totally agree. It's getting a complete flush, but I haven't had a chance to do it yet. I use ATE TYP 200 Racing brake fluid. It's a bit overkill, as I am not ever getting it to racing temps, but have lots left over from my previous car (Honda Civic Si).

What is dot 4 Voc though? Doesn't voc normally just have to do with chemical safety levels?

I own a repair shop and I'm going to be straight up, not sure much different but again I'm no chemist either. So I would only use what's recommend. I know you can use regular dot 4 in dot 3 systems. Not dot 3 in dot 4 system. So with that said, use caution. VOC is low viscosity, same as paint being used these days. All regulation crap. Of Couse that's why you will notice how easy ford paint chips.

 

[Frenchy]

I totally agree. It's getting a complete flush, but I haven't had a chance to do it yet. I use ATE TYP 200 Racing brake fluid. It's a bit overkill, as I am not ever getting it to racing temps, but have lots left over from my previous car (Honda Civic Si).

What is dot 4 Voc though? Doesn't voc normally just have to do with chemical safety levels?

If anything the Ford specific brake fluid is simply a much lower viscosity. Just to throw an example instead of using a 5w 30 it would be like a zero W 30 oil. Sounds a bit silly but that's the best way for me to explain it

 

[Bludrok]

Hi Jason,

Your wondering if the Ranger had a design defect resulted in my tired old body crawling under my Ranger to look at it with more detail than I had previously. So here goes...

There is certainly exposure of the flex line at the rear but most of the OEM tire "protects" the brake line, but not all...the exposed area is vertical or near so and is behind the caliper.

FMVSS requires dual systems so you should still have had one system working all be it with mushy and long pedal travel.

Offset wheels will result in more exposure to the flex line and might have contributed to the situation.

(personal comment)...I have never been a fan of banjo fittings for brakes...

Since I had no part in the design of the current Ranger but do know the amount of testing that a new program requires, it is likely something like you experienced never occurred. I would recommend opening a formal issue with Ford Customer Care....I know they will likely say, Modified vehicle, the I think the first elephant track needs to be in the system.

Might be time for an aftermarket supplier to offer a SS braided set of rear hoses...Hmmm?

Glad you and daughter had a happy ending....

Best,
Phil

Hi Phil! Glad to see you are still around. Last I checked, you were taking a break from the forums.

I did still have the e-brake system working. In fact, the computer kicked it on automatically, and I could not turn it off. I wasn't even aware the Ranger could do that prior to this incident.

I'm not sure if I'll run it up the customer care tree or not, but will definitely keep brake fluid in the truck as part of my emergency/recovery gear from now on.

 

[Progeny2021]

Thank goodness for winches!!!!

 

[Bludrok]

just for clarity

Thanks, that makes sense now. Couldn't find anything dot 4 voc.

 

[Bludrok]

What I normally use is the typ 200, which says is compatible with all dot 4 brake fluids, but they also have the SL.6, which is LV.

I think the typ 200 is an upgrade, but wanted to ask for opinions since we are talking about it.

 

[Progeny2021]

Dang, I happened to have this out back.....

 

[Bludrok]

I found the technical data on their website. The sl.6 is indeed thinner than the typ 200 (700mm² max, compared to 1400mm² max), so I will switch over.

Here are the specs, for any who are interested:

Super Dot 5.1

Typ 200

sl.6

 

[pull string get cookies]

Dang, I happened to have this out back.....

Wow, that’s old! Good thing brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it lasts forever. Right!? Lol

 

[Frenchy]

I found the technical data on their website. The sl.6 is indeed thinner than the typ 200 (700mm² max, compared to 1400mm² max), so I will switch over.

Here are the specs, for any who are interested:

Super Dot 5.1

Typ 200

sl.6

Honestly I would just stay woth the factory stuff. Makes thing easier in the long run vs buying aftermarket stuff that may or may not be available later on

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