I have a 99 expedition 5.4. It feels like it is pulling a heavy load just driving around town. I have checked the brakes they seem fine, none get hot, my gas milage has been the same since i got it.(only had it since March 11) In the last month though it "feels" like it is pulling a load. any advice what it could be? I read an artical here where the guy said his 96 full size bronco felt like he was pulling an anchor and all of the responces had to do with his fual system. Any thoughts or advice as to what could be happening???

 

Your symptoms sound like the emergency brake is dragging.

 

could be the 4wd system trying to engage or somthing.....

 

I'd start with a fuel pressure reading just to make sure the PSI is up to where it's supposed to be and the engine isn't starving for fuel.

 

a starting point thanks, as the name says though I am new to this HOW do I check the presure? I could keep my old fords going (late 60s 70s) this new one is a pain when somthing goes wrong.

 

the first rely I saw was the fual so for the rest. I just found that the E brake is disconected. it looks like it got snagged on somthing and ripped the cable. With the disks could this be doing it. Please don't let it be anything with the 4x4 the old ones were expencive enough!

 

I suggest that you jack it up and put it on jack stands and with the truck in 2WD you can put it in drive and watch the wheels to see how easily they rotate. They should rotate without any drag or resistance. If they turn with a lot of effort it will most likely be the E brake is engaged for some reason. Then you will have to get inside if the E brake system and fix it as well as reconnecting it all.

 

You will need to look at the cable connecting point behind the rotor backing plate. The arm the cable attaches to should be towards the rear of the axle. It must be locked in the applied position for some reason.

 

thanks for the fast reply. I can see where the cable got broke off. would that cause the brake to tighten? How can I release it for now, broke till the first. I new at this so i am open to any helpful advice. thanks again

 

All I can suggest is to remove the wheel and see what you can do to release it. Have you checked to be certain that is the problem?

 

Sometimes the e-brake friction material separates from the e-brake shoe and gets jambed in between the shoe and the rotor's "hat". Best to pull the rotor and check the e-brake hardware to be sure all is okay.

 

He's going to have to release the E brake in order to inspect and repair the problem, in any case.

 

haven't had a chance to get it off the ground yet. hopefully tomorrow if its obove freezeing. truck won't fit in my garage. I will post when i get into it and have a look around thanks again for the help so far.

 

OK got the wheels off this morning and I found, the left side cable was rotted and rusted just broke off in my hand. the left side wasn't even hooked up BUT the brake was engaged. I released the brake and now "it picks up speed going downhill!" After the first I will have to see about getting new cables and see what kind of damage was done to the roter. thanks for all the help will probably be back when I can afford to fix it.

 

Dern! It's warmed up there already? Talk about an early spring.
Glad to hear that it's going okay.
I suggest that you try a parts store for the cables as a bone yard will charge almost new price for used ones.