Braking problem
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: joliet, IL
Braking problem
Shane,
I had a similiar problem with my 97. When I checked my rear brakes, there seemed to be enough left on the pads in the drums. But a closer look revealed some hairline cracks in the brake pads. When I ran my finger across the pads, they were not smooth. After replacing them, the truck braked fine.
Maybe that's what is happening with yours. The symptoms you describe are the exact same as what I had experienced.
Good luck!
Mike
I had a similiar problem with my 97. When I checked my rear brakes, there seemed to be enough left on the pads in the drums. But a closer look revealed some hairline cracks in the brake pads. When I ran my finger across the pads, they were not smooth. After replacing them, the truck braked fine.
Maybe that's what is happening with yours. The symptoms you describe are the exact same as what I had experienced.
Good luck!
Mike
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 2
From: Mississippi
Braking problem
oo man that is normal...My 97 does the same thing if it has rained alot the night before..i use to have a 94 explore that did the same thing and a 1990 F-150 that did it too...don't worry it's nothing bad just pump the brakes a few times and your ok...lol might look like you can't drive for a block but it goes away..
don't worry i have brand new brakes pad so it's not those...thats just somthing alot of vechials do
don't worry i have brand new brakes pad so it's not those...thats just somthing alot of vechials do
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: White Sands, NM
Braking problem
I also think this is normal. It was the same on my 94 Ranger and on my 97 F-150. I always thought it was a function of the ABS, but that's just an uneducated guess. Since wet brakes wouldn't grip as well as dry ones I assume that the ABS "sees" this as a loss of tracktion and panics. But maybe I've been sniffing those exhuast fumes too much 
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Braking problem
Shane if you do a search on here you should numerous posts about the same problem. The most common problem is just dust in the drums. If you remove the adjuster plug from the backing plate and aim your garden hose in there to flush out all the dust you'll probably find that they work better after that. Ford came up with new updated shoes that arent as sensitive when cold and damp. Sometimes other brands of shoes work better than the originals too.
