I have an 05 250 XLT with all disc brakes and sometimes the parking brake will engage, and sometimes it won't.

I did read somewhere on here that there is a small drum setup inside the rear assemblies for the parking brake, but I'm not sure how to resolve this issue.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Is your truck equipped with a manual transmission by any chance? Usually, on ones so equipped (read: parking brake ALWAYS used), the parking brake ratcheting assembly fails causing the symptom you describe.

 

Nope, mine is an automatic and not a 4x4, if that matters at all either.

Thanks M-Chan

 

Don't know if it could be your problem, but my backing plates that secure the hardware rusted out and had to replace them to get the parking brake back. Wasn't cheap.

 

It's kind of weird because sometimes it will engage perfectly, and then sometimes, the brake pedal goes to the floor and the truck will still role.

 

Thats because the ratcheting assy is broke. The assy is the piece that your ebrake pedal connects to. Its weird, but this is the second post ive seen on this issue in a month.

 

Even when I can hear it ratcheting both when it does and does not engage?

I can see the pedal pull the cable every time.

 

I just fixed this exact same problem on my 2005. Crawl under the truck and look at the rear wheel backing plates. You should see the heads of the shoe retaining pins in the dimples on the backside of the plates. My guess is that you will see 2 holes but no retaining pin heads. This happens when the backing plates rust out.

You can find the plates online for about 27 bucks a piece. Ford will only sell you the whole backing plate/parking brake assembly.

The "backing plate rust problem" is a VERY common problem on these trucks.

 

If what Whalerron says is right then these are the dust shields from amazon.
They come with pins and clips but those ones are junk.
$17 at Napa gets you this hardware kit. These are the real pins and clips for grown ups.

 

Where did you go online for the backing plate?

 

Amazon.com: Dorman 924-212 Brake Dust Shield: Automotive

 

RockAuto.com has the Dorman parts too. It seems like everyone carries the Dorman part. I didn't know that you could buy just the backing plates when I did my repair and I bought the full assemblies from Ford. I wish I had looked here first!

Also, here is a thread about this subject:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-plates.html

 

I got this spindle nut socket off the shelf at my local Napa. It cost me $21 and fit perfectly.

NAPA AUTO PARTS

 

The 1 9/16 Axle nut socket is available at Autozone for $12.00.