Notices
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator 1997 - 2002 and 2003 - 2006 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Discussion

04 Expedition Brake Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 02:44 PM
  #1  
sublauxation's Avatar
sublauxation
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
04 Expedition Brake Problem

During any normal driving and when towing my brakes work fine, but if I slam the brakes quickly I hear a whooshing sound somewhere near the floor of the truck and the pedal goes flat to the floor. The brakes still engage enough that it will throw you out of the seat. Once I pump the pedal it goes back up and acts completely normal. It's been happening long enough that I have a hard time believing it's a master cylinder. I don't lose any fluid, and brake pad wear is even. The rubber lines to calipers all appear in good shape. 6 Months ago I bled the brakes and had problems getting fluid from the rear DS caliper, but that straightened out after a couple attempts. Last weekend I re-bled everything, ran 2 pints of fluid, and everything came out clean. ABS seems to work fine on ice.

Any thoughts?
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 04:05 PM
  #2  
mwood1973's Avatar
mwood1973
New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I've had the same problem on an 03 XLT Expy. I checked the brakes. and have tried adding fluid. Any advice would be very appriciated.
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 08:29 PM
  #3  
sublauxation's Avatar
sublauxation
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Sorry to hear you're having the same problem. I've bled the heck out of them which has done nothing. Do you get the same whooshing sound when it happens? Have you had any shops check yours out?
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 09:53 PM
  #4  
ronjeremy6's Avatar
ronjeremy6
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
I'm glad it's not just me! I mean, it sucks that it is occurring with both of your vehicles, but i have described it to my tech and he is puzzled to. No leaks, I have personally inspected the pads and they have worn even.

On thing though, the rotors are slightly warped. I order a new set and they arrived last week. It's going in to the shop on Thursday, so i'll know then if the rotors are the culprit. But I know deep down the rotors aren't the cause because i can make the pedal bottom out with the vehicle standing still.
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 10:41 PM
  #5  
sublauxation's Avatar
sublauxation
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Guess we're not alone. Those pads are pretty thick when new, I thought maybe the caliper pistons were retreating too far and there was too much travel so I replaced the pads. I bought new rotors but mine were fine so I didn't replace them. I've considered replacing the master but that doesn't make much sense either, and last time I worked on it we abused it enough that is would have caused failure if it were on it's way out. The rubber lines do appear good and if they weren't the brake fluid when bleeding should have been dirty. If it were the booster it would be an odd way for it to fail. Everybody I've run this past so far just shakes their head and throws out random ideas.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 05:53 AM
  #6  
broncoholic's Avatar
broncoholic
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 40
From: Melbourne, FL
These trucks have a panic-assist feature that kicks in when you slam on the brakes. You may be engaging that and confusing it with a brake problem. I know on my 03, it sucks the peddle down to the floor, but stops the truck in a hurry. I don't know if I get the whooshing sound though, so that may be a difference that actually points to a problem.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 11:07 AM
  #7  
alloro's Avatar
alloro
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,316
Likes: 5,127
From: 0,0,1
Club FTE Gold Member
To me it sounds like the dump valves on the ABS unit are leaking. Unfortunately the ABS unit isn't serviceable and you would have to replace the whole unit.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 11:14 AM
  #8  
sublauxation's Avatar
sublauxation
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Broncoholic, thats what I was wondering, if there was some override to help keep you from going through the windshield if you slam the brakes really hard. The whoosh sound is probably the pedal moving quickly and for a longer distance, that's where it sounds like it's coming from and there are really no other brake parts on the floor. If it was truely a problem I cant imagine the brakes would still hold solid even with the pedal on the floor.

If it was an ABS dump valve I'd be losing fluid which I'm definitely not.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 11:38 AM
  #9  
broncoholic's Avatar
broncoholic
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 40
From: Melbourne, FL
Originally Posted by sublauxation
Broncoholic, thats what I was wondering, if there was some override to help keep you from going through the windshield if you slam the brakes really hard.
Try a seat belt

I've only engaged mine once during regular driving, when someone turned in front of me at an intersection. I also engaged it when braking hard to break-in my new breaks. I recall noticing that the pedal quickly gets a soft feeling, not requiring as much force from the driver. I like it, definitely maximizes stopping power with ABS for a range of drivers. I'm certain I can push the pedal harder than my wife, but the panick-assist kinda equalizes that out.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 04:22 PM
  #10  
sublauxation's Avatar
sublauxation
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I must be a lousy driver, I engage it at least once a month. Thanks for the info.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 04:50 PM
  #11  
pdqford's Avatar
pdqford
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 37
From: Central NYS
Originally Posted by broncoholic
These trucks have a panic-assist feature that kicks in when you slam on the brakes.
Broncoholic, could you elaborate on how this panic-assist feature works?
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 05:03 PM
  #12  
broncoholic's Avatar
broncoholic
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 40
From: Melbourne, FL
Originally Posted by pdqford
Broncoholic, could you elaborate on how this panic-assist feature works?
No, not really. It's something I read 5 or 6 years ago. In a thread, in an article on-line or maybe even in the owners manual. I can't remember any details about it, just that there is a panic assist. I'll be honest, it may even be something that only pertains to trucks with the AdvanceTrac, I dunno. I just know it exists and my truck has it.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 09:08 PM
  #13  
alloro's Avatar
alloro
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,316
Likes: 5,127
From: 0,0,1
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by sublauxation
If it was an ABS dump valve I'd be losing fluid which I'm definitely not.
Why would you say that? The dump valve diverts the fluid to a reservoir, not the ground.
 
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2011 | 10:40 AM
  #14  
sublauxation's Avatar
sublauxation
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by alloro
Why would you say that? The dump valve diverts the fluid to a reservoir, not the ground.
Guess I assumed an ABS dump valve would dump fluid externally, but with that clarrified it makes it something I have to look into. Would that leak fluid or air back to the master cylinder, or possibly both? Does it divert fluid back to the Master Cylinder or a separate reservoir? The ABS has never engaged on dry pavement if I hit the brakes hard, just on ice, which may make sense with an ABS valve problem because you don't apply as much brake force on ice to begin with. Any way to trouble shoot it shy of replacement, any specific symptoms? If I replace it does the system need to be bled with the ABS pump disengaged or can I do it as you normally would?

Thanks for the heads up on that and any more info would be appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2011 | 12:40 PM
  #15  
2trux's Avatar
2trux
Mountain Pass
10 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque
Originally Posted by broncoholic
No, not really. It's something I read 5 or 6 years ago. In a thread, in an article on-line or maybe even in the owners manual. I can't remember any details about it, just that there is a panic assist. I'll be honest, it may even be something that only pertains to trucks with the AdvanceTrac, I dunno. I just know it exists and my truck has it.
I found this on the panic assist.
Tech Tip: Expedition/Navigator Unintended Brake Assist
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:15 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE