Ford Brake specialist???

Fshklr · 01-02-2006, 06:42 AM

I recently purchased a 93 F250 4x4 Heavyduty.

The front disk brakes seem to be taking all the load and the right front was locking up...truck has ABS sytem.

I checked the rear and adjusted them out and all was perfect, and no more front locking or entire load being stopped by the fronts, for a few weeks, but alas some signs of possible fronts taking all the load again reappeared.

After returning home from clamming saturday, the fronts are not only locking up, but any minimal pressure applied to the brake pedal, the pedal on it's own, engages to full brake(my foot is off the pedal at this time)..and they lock up, or damn close to it!!...rears seem to be of little use, and I have to pull the pedal up with my foot to disengage the brakes.

Any help out there with a possible solution....

pads and disc show 75% of material and no abnormal visual wear or leaks

Trying to save a trip to the brake Gods

Thumper · 01-02-2006, 06:57 AM

The best brake guy I know is Alignment And Brake Specialties (ABS) in Hazel Dell. He works on my Expedition and has done a lot of work on our other family vehicles. Does not gouge, and his work is immaculate. He was recommended to me by several local shops who refer their specialty work to him. I am PMing you specifics.

baltz526 · 01-02-2006, 07:13 AM

the problem you describe is beyond most peoples abillity to fix. take it to a brake professional

Firedog · 01-02-2006, 07:17 AM

Cooks Brakes in SE portland

Fshklr · 01-02-2006, 07:17 AM

ya...I know

have made calls and arrangements.

It is beyond drivable, and surely could be hazardous trying to take it anywhere...have contacted a local shop in Longview 6 blocks down the road.

thanks for the pm Jack..He was very helpful and will keep that info handy for future business

YaHoeeFishOn · 01-02-2006, 07:20 AM

Sounds like a bad brake booster . Expect to put a booster and master cylinder in it.

Fshklr · 01-02-2006, 07:24 AM

I had a booster go out once in my other ford...I could hear a hiss with each use of the pedal....

Come to think of it...I noticed a hiss or two a few weeks back in the new ford, but it went away

Hmmmmmmmm

Still taking it in, but that is much less than a new brain

WaterDog · 01-02-2006, 08:05 AM

I think a 93 has rear anti lock only. 4 wheel abs did not happen until 99 on the superduty(f-250 and up) . The front rotors are well known for warping really bad.

The Chub · 01-02-2006, 11:47 AM

Ford's eat brakes!

1pump · 01-02-2006, 12:49 PM

Yeah, they do. I always get bazillions of miles of wear out of the pads and shoes, but due to the rotors warping or the calipers sticking, I have to replace the front brakes about every 40K or so. I pull them off and the pads are barely worn, but the rotors or calipers are toast. I've had 3 Rangers, a Bronco, a Bronco II, an Aerostar and numerous passenger cars and it's always the same story. :depressed: Never lost a master cylinder or booster, though. The only unusual drum brake problem I've had was an parking brake lever popping off inside the drum. It had over 100K on it, so I can let that one slide.

Fshklr · 01-02-2006, 12:55 PM

I've had 3 ford half tons, and a shortbox heavyhalf 4x4.
only one ever problem in 500,000 miles of my ford career, and it was the master and booster on the 4x4.

Now the new to me 4x4 after some minor TLC, will be good for another long run!!

Just got the news...Calipers and all brake pads are in great condition.

Rotors may need to be replaced, and they figure that the master cylinder is the problem.

I am having the rotors replaced, new seals etc as well, new pads while they have it apart, and the new master cylinder.

right around $500 and change.

WHEW!!! I was prepared for far more damage...there goes a big chunk of the driftboat fund

thanks for the help Guys!!!

HntnFsh · 01-02-2006, 12:58 PM

Not sure if that year was included but I believe my Dads 95 had a recall for cracked rotors.Both of his were cracked.

I reread your post.Yep looks like a master cylinder.Had it stuck in my head that 1 front brake was sticking.My bad!

HntnFsh · 01-02-2006, 12:59 PM

They aint cheap are they?

ogstad-j · 01-02-2006, 01:28 PM

ford brakes are crap!!! i have a 2004 f250 that is going in for new brakes wensday . and i had a 2002 f150 and it had three sets of brakes befor it had 36,000 miles . i like ford otherwise.

:whazzup:

Lepper · 01-02-2006, 02:15 PM

sounds like a typical ford break issue.. What you will need to do, check break lines first to the calipers.. then I would suggest buyin 2 new calipers and putting them on there. You can rebuild the calipers yourself but it isn't the best thing to do. Mine does this as well. new calipers will fix it. The plunger is what is sticking. and needs to be delt with..

dave

WaterDog · 01-02-2006, 02:33 PM

93 f-150 80K on original brakes, 97 f250, 85K on original brakes, 2000 f-350, 85K on original brakes (front). Rears are fine. Lots of boat dragging miles on all 3 rigs.

YaHoeeFishOn · 01-02-2006, 02:44 PM

96 Ford explorer , set pads on all 4 corners at 80k , still 50% when done .
85 Ford 150 300k 2 boosters , 1 set calipers, 3 sets surfaces.
95 Ford Winstar , all 4 corners at 80k , another set rear pads and wheel cyclinder kits at 120k because someone drove it a day with rear brake on .

A master cyclinder at 130k.

Friction surfaces are a normal maintaince item , nothing abnormal about my Ford brakes compared to my other rigs. There all single piston floating Calipers.

grsteelies · 01-02-2006, 02:57 PM

Just had my 95's front left lock up. Seized caliper piston. Ate the pads and rotor to crap. Got new loaded calipers and rotors for both sides from napa for $250. Time to get dirty and swap em out.

skybuster · 01-02-2006, 11:25 PM

Man, I always thought my Ford brakes were way better than my chevy brakes. Our company had a couple chevy's and a Ford. The chevy's were eating brakes like crazy, we couldn't seem to get more than 20K out of them. Especially if the chevy's had to tow anything. The Ford did the bulk of the heavy towing and the original brakes lasted 60k. I thought that was pretty good for hauling a 16 foot cargo trailer daily.

On one new chevy we spent about $2000.00 dollars on the brakes in a year and a half and 40k miles. Chevy insisted that brakes are a wear and tear item and wouldn't help us. That was the last new chevy I have bought. I'm on my second Ford since then and no problems.