NOTE TO Self: Don't drop the brake master cylinder cap!!! Never to be seen again.

PltFX4

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I was checking the brake fluid level on Monday evening just because... it's been 3 years.
Took the cap off; all is good, right where it should be. Went to put the cap back on and it slip off/out of my hand; down to driver fender side, onto the mass of hoses, brake lines, wiring... never to be seen again!! If I had a lift or went to change the oil it might reappear but not from above!!

Had to order a new one (KB3Z-2162-A)... only one dealer in the state of Minnesota had one, and they where 70 miles way!! So the Ranger was grounded till it arrived today. Cheap but what a pain.
20230519_171411.jpg
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Cmar

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I was checking the brake fluid level on Monday evening just because... it's been 3 years.
Took the cap off; all is good, right where it should be. Went to put the cap back on and it slip off/out of my hand; down to driver fender side, onto the mass of hoses, brake lines, wiring... never to be seen again!! If I had a lift or went to change the oil it might reappear but not from above!!

Had to order a new one (KB3Z-2162-A)... only one dealer in the state of Minnesota had one, and they where 70 miles way!! So the Ranger was grounded till it arrived today. Cheap but what a pain.
20230519_171411.jpg
Why bother to remove the cap when the container is translucent anyway. Just give the truck front a shake and look. From my experience with dropped bolts , nuts, tools etc it will probably turn up months later when you are underneath looking for something else!
 

DukeCanBuildit

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Why bother to remove the cap when the container is translucent anyway. Just give the truck front a shake and look. From my experience with dropped bolts , nuts, tools etc it will probably turn up months later when you are underneath looking for something else!
Sometimes, it’s worth looking for those kinds of things because when I do, I usually find a missing 10mm or two. :wink:
 
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PltFX4

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Why bother to remove the cap when the container is translucent anyway. Just give the truck front a shake and look. From my experience with dropped bolts , nuts, tools etc it will probably turn up months later when you are underneath looking for something else!
I did look but the fluid was so clear I could not see a line from the outside... also as it was full right up to the cap bottom, there was really no line to see.
 


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PltFX4

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LOL... Status update:

Was to tired Monday to fight with it after crawling under the truck to see if I could find/see it, so easiest was order a new one.

So tonight after picking up the new one and in a better frame of mind, I proceeded to put the new one in and take photo of the Ranger's black hole where parts are swallowed whole.

A: The black hole
20230519_180121.jpg


B. Then I looked around more, on the engine side of the master cylinder, and realize the cap had slid down under the power brake booster...

20230519_181115.jpg


I could feel it but not "grab" it. Got out the right-angle pick, and snagged it.

C: The rescued miscreant cap:
20230519_182459.jpg
 

canyonslicker

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LOL... Status update:

Was to tired Monday to fight with it after crawling under the truck to see if I could find/see it, so easiest was order a new one.

So tonight after picking up the new one and in a better frame of mind, I proceeded to put the new one in and take photo of the Ranger's black hole where parts are swallowed whole.

A: The black hole
20230519_180121.jpg


B. Then I looked around more, on the engine side of the master cylinder, and realize the cap had slid down under the power brake booster...

20230519_181115.jpg


I could feel it but not "grab" it. Got out the right-angle pick, and snagged it.

C: The rescued miscreant cap:
20230519_182459.jpg
IMG_3963.png
Again….lol
 

Cmar

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I did look but the fluid was so clear I could not see a line from the outside... also as it was full right up to the cap bottom, there was really no line to see.
Ok fair enough then, didn't mean to criticize, just wondered why you went to the trouble to remove it. My fluid is a goldy colour so it's relatively easy to see.
 

NvrFinished

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I did look but the fluid was so clear I could not see a line from the outside... also as it was full right up to the cap bottom, there was really no line to see.
I found that shining a small flashlight from behind or at the opposite angle you are looking at it helps.
 
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PltFX4

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I found that shining a small flashlight from behind or at the opposite angle you are looking at it helps.
Agreed... I left a step out of the story: When it first fell, looked in the black hole and could see the cap. Tried using a VERY long nosed needle nose plied top grab it but the moment I touched it, it slid the rest of the way down to under the booster. 🙄

That's when I was so exacerbated with myself and said just get a new one.

Now IMO, to save me from myself (and perhaps others) this frustration, given the location would be nice if the caps along this design: with a tether

Web_300--EXGVSRV071-media-hlr-system-18353_100275000_Stryker Medical.jpg


This will be my last comment... don't want to beat a dead horse.
 

Max Crafter

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you'll find it again, when it finds something hot, and starts smoking, or catches fire.
 

Cmar

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Agreed... I left a step out of the story: When it first fell, looked in the black hole and could see the cap. Tried using a VERY long nosed needle nose plied top grab it but the moment I touched it, it slid the rest of the way down to under the booster. 🙄

That's when I was so exacerbated with myself and said just get a new one.

Now IMO, to save me from myself (and perhaps others) this frustration, given the location would be nice if the caps along this design: with a tether

Web_300--EXGVSRV071-media-hlr-system-18353_100275000_Stryker Medical.jpg


This will be my last comment... don't want to beat a dead horse.
I've owned a car once before that actually had something like that. As I bought it secondhand I'm not sure however if it was OEM or an aftermarket one.
 

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It's kind of like after you pee, you have to shake it a little..😂

I use one of my removable workbench LED light bars at an angle and give the master cylinder a little shake. (my fluid is a few weeks old)

IMG_8847.jpeg
 

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I've lost 2 windshield wash fluid caps(from the jugs) down the open port in the radiator cover, never to be seen again.
 

svogt302

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I was checking the brake fluid level on Monday evening just because... it's been 3 years.
Took the cap off; all is good, right where it should be. Went to put the cap back on and it slip off/out of my hand; down to driver fender side, onto the mass of hoses, brake lines, wiring... never to be seen again!! If I had a lift or went to change the oil it might reappear but not from above!!

Had to order a new one (KB3Z-2162-A)... only one dealer in the state of Minnesota had one, and they where 70 miles way!! So the Ranger was grounded till it arrived today. Cheap but what a pain.
20230519_171411.jpg
Brake fluid attracts moisture, especially with the cap off. You may want to get it flushed now to prevent any Corrosion.

https://naijauto.com/car-maintenanc...-fluid-the-impending-threat-for-motorists-889
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