Hello all,

My 1990 F350 has been reliquinshed to temporary duties now that we have the van to haul the majority of our stuff. I've driven it 200 miles since May.

Last 2 time's I've used the truck I've found the front calipers are sticking. I'd like to replace them or rebuild if I can find a good kit.

Here comes the questions:

Are recomendations on calipers or rebuild kits? I'd like to get new Motorcraft parts but I'm having a hard time swallowing the $150/piece tag at the moment, especially on a vehicle that probably wont get driven 1k this year.

Do I need rotors and pads? Pretty sure the answer is yes since I had the one glowing red, but maybe someone's experience can help me here.

Anything that I can do to prevent this issue in the future?

Thanks!
Jason

 

While your at it I would recommend replacing the brake hoses, especially if they are old & I would flush new fluid through too.

 

Ill have to check the condition of the hoses, previous owner said he replaced a lot of stuff but I'd better take a good look.

All new fluid will be a definite. Any issues going from dot3 to dot4? I have a basically unlimited supply of dot4 lol

 

Sometimes old rubber brake hoses can collapse when you release the pedal, causing pressure not to release and the calipers to drag...

 

If the hoses are more than 5 years old, you should probably replace them while you have the calipers out. It is cheap peace of mind.

 

I should probably invest in the soft lines. I don't really have any evidence of their age. The brakes are a bit scary anyway

 

Suggestions for part manufacturer's while we're in here?

 

X2, I'd do the hoses before bothering with the calipers myself.

 

Happened to me (more than once) about 5 years ago. It did it intermittently at first, then happened every time I took the truck - thus, I fixed it. The fluid in mine was black/nasty - most probably from the heat and moisture in the fluid over the years. The phenolic pistons in the calipers would seize/not release.

Caused the rotors to get extremely glowing hot. Several times, could not wait for them to cool down (it took at least an hour), so I poured water on the whole brake system on that side. It would then release.

Obviously, this also led to cracked rotors due to heat shock.

Replaced calipers - pistons - lines - rotors - fluid. Lubed the heck out of the caliper pins. What fixed it? Pick one of above - I can't point to any one thing. I do change the fluid more often now. Problem has not returned.