Anti-lock actuator assy out again!

[Jeff N.]

I have been told by my dealer that my "Anti-lock Actuator Assembly" is going out again on my 92 LSC. I put a new one in 13 months ago at the whopping cost of $1800. 1 month after the warranty ran out the pedal starts going to the floor again and does not come back up. Brake shops won't touch it. Counting the original 3 Assemblies in 65K miles is a little excessive! Is this a big problem with this car or am I being taken for a ride?
Also do all Mark VII's come with anti-lock brakes or was it an option. If I can get a Mark VII without anti-lock brakes I'll get rid of this one and buy one without.

[BLUECOLLAR]

Put it this way, in 15 years as a Ford/Lincoln tech, I replaced "1" assembly! Most of the time its one of the other parts that go bad.....not the whole assembly. Replacing the whole thing is the "throw parts at it" way of fixing things. "If you can't figure out whats wrong with it.....replace all of it".

First look for leaking fluid somewhere. Brake lines,calipers etc.

[Jeff N.]

Thank you for your replies, The actuator assembly installed was suposedly new and manufactured by the same contractor as the original. Which is not saying much. It was not suposed to be a remanufactured assy. I have been doing business with this dealer for 16 years and have always felt they were very qualified and an honest shop. However, this leaves me questioning. I was told by them that these are sealed units and they do not service them.
I am taking the car to a another shop tomorrow so I will see what they say. I'll look into replacing the accumulator as a possible solution. $100 sounds better that spending another $1800 if even a long shot. Although I agree with lets not though part at it approach to repair.

[Charlie]

I understand what you are saying about" the lets not part it approach to repair". That makes sinse in most cases because if you change one part that usually means most of the other ones are wore out as well. Because you have changed the whole assembly I do not think that applys here. For 1800 dollars I think that maybe you can look into other options. To explain this in another way. Why throw your whole engine away if you get a bad spark plug? Can you give a better explaination of what your brakes are doing? Post it everywhere and see what kind of answers you get.

[BLUECOLLAR]

Unless you see a leak somewhere around the accumulator, I wouldn't suspect it at all. Its job is to store pressure, not to make it, thats the hydraulic motors' job. Its got to be either an internal bypass(like a regular m/c) or a leak. Besides, a new accumulator is about $225!

Buying a used accumulator is like buying a used oil filter. The used one won't be much better than your old one.

[Jeff N.]

I took my car into the dealership on Friday. I now have a rebuilt acuator assemby with a 12 month warranty. The dealership still declares that they did replace the original assemby. However, to eliminate the appearance of impropriety, they agreed to replace it since the new assemby failed 13 months after installation and I had anotherr mechanic indicated the original had never been replaced. He even talk to them on the phone, said he say solder on the usint indicating they plugged a leak. He pretty much called them a bunch of liars and said it would be in their best interest to make it right. Needless to say I received a lot of attitude as if somehow I pulled the fast one. They can think what they want. At least I got the acutator assemby replaced and have found a new mechanic I can trust. I have not decided if I will report them or file a complaint as they finally did do the right thing by me. I am going to have my new mechanic look it over as I told my dealership I would. It is not easy driving a car you have to hold the brake pedal up while you drive, this dealship is 40 miles away! Thanks for your ideas!

[BLUECOLLAR]

It sounds like that dealer...or maybe just the tech, has a scam working at that dealership!

Some dealerships give $credit$ for unused parts. ;) You might have very well made someone some good "side money" over the years.

[ December 05, 2001: Message edited by: BLUECOLLAR ]