...There is a LOT of talk about the pedal sinking "almost" to the floor, but still stopping the truck. the "sinking" pedal issue is caused in the abs system, which is allowing fluid to bypass. the only way around it, is to replace the abs pump and module......not cheap!

 

Not according to the former owner of my truck. He had the same problem and it was solved with a replacement of the braided portion of the brake lines. This truck, now my truck, a 2003 f150, indeed does not have the problem. The former owner did not diagnose the problem but took it to the Ford Dealership. Therefore, from what information I have, this is not the only way around it. I would certainly look at that possibility before just living (or dying) with the spongy brakes or, replacing the abs pump and module.

 

....IT could be a different issue that you are having, but there defintely was an issue with the abs pumps going bad....search around and you'll find issues people had with a sinking brake pedal, which may not be what your experiencing

 

As a point of clarification, I wasn't experiencing the problem. It was the owner before who described the spongy brake and sinking brake problem to me as one he had and, how it was fixed. I noticed the new lines when I was changing tires as a confirmation of what the previous owner told me.

I still have to think that ballooning brake lines might be a more common problem than people realize and might wrongly attribute it to the ABS. I felt this same sponginess and sinking pedal in another pristine 2003 f150 when the engine was off during my search for a truck. Would the ABS cause this problem with the engine off? This is something I don't know.

My point is that I think the word needs to get out about the possibility of ballooning brake lines. By ballooning, I mean the braided part of the brake lines have too much give offering a kind of expansion chamber. It is a lot less expensive and simpler fix than the ABS.

 

I just fixed a very similar problem on my 2003 King Ranch. I replaced the rubber flex line between the frame and the caliper. I was told the lines rust inside and become restricted. Mine actually held the right front caliper in the clamping position, and everything was getting very hot, and not braking very well. Parts for both front wheels cost about $35. Just spray the fittings down ahead of time so they don't stick. Good Luck.

 

I fixed a problem with the pedal sinking to the floor and it was not a problem with the ABS system. I pulled into a parking lot when I saw smoke rising from the from. In the hot sun, away from all but essential tools, I managed to put diagnose the probable cause as a sticking caliper. Got a new one from Advance, did a bleed but, discovered the pedal was now sinking as described.

Managed to get the truck home since the caliper was at least no longer sticking and there I realized I had been sold the wrong caliper with the bleeder screw at the bottom instead of the top. Of course the system would be full of air despite bleeding. Just something else to look out for with the sinking pedal.