Custodial SU(2) Violation and the Origin of Fermion Masses

Custodial $SU(2)$ breaking due to dynamical fermion masses is studied in a rather general context and it is shown how some well known limiting cases are correctly described. The type of ``gap equation'' which can systematically lead to extra negative contributions to the so--called $\rho$--parameter is emphasized. Furthermore general model independent features are discussed and it is shown how electro--weak precision measurements can be sensitive to the fermion content and/or dynamical features of a given theory.