Intermittent brake problem
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Burke VA
Intermittent brake problem
Hey all,
The truck - 76 F100, no power brakes.
So the other day Im driving home and I notice that the brake pedal is really touchy - engaging too soon. Then I smell it - burning brakes. I got her home, parked it. A week later I jack it up. all wheel are turning freely. Today, I drive to work, halfway through the drive, it happens again. 8 hrs later, its fine.
Any ideas? Caliper issue? Master cylinder? The dark side of the force?
The truck - 76 F100, no power brakes.
So the other day Im driving home and I notice that the brake pedal is really touchy - engaging too soon. Then I smell it - burning brakes. I got her home, parked it. A week later I jack it up. all wheel are turning freely. Today, I drive to work, halfway through the drive, it happens again. 8 hrs later, its fine.
Any ideas? Caliper issue? Master cylinder? The dark side of the force?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Any recent brake work done prior to this happening?
Are the flexible brake lines old?
If you grab the brake pedal and pull it back towards the seat, is there any free-play (some degree of slack) in the pedal or, is there no free movement to it?
Are the flexible brake lines old?
If you grab the brake pedal and pull it back towards the seat, is there any free-play (some degree of slack) in the pedal or, is there no free movement to it?
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Burke VA
The brake pedal is at hot end of its travel. I did the rotors and pads last winter while it was in storage. The rest? God knows. It's an Arizona truck that had sat for a long long time...
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Over time, the inner lining of the flexible brake lines will start to break down and slough off. This usually acts like a check valve where fluid is forced into the calipers/wheel cylinders but is slow to return fluid to the MC, after you get off the brake pedal. In the mean time, it makes the brakes drag and get hot. After the vehicle sits for a while, the pressure finally releases.
If the brake pedal has no free-play, it means that it's partially pushing the MC pistons inward. This would also make the brakes drag and get hot, since it will be partially applying the brakes, even when you aren't pressing down on the brake pedal. This can be caused a manual brake MC input rod that is too long.
If the brake pedal has no free-play, it means that it's partially pushing the MC pistons inward. This would also make the brakes drag and get hot, since it will be partially applying the brakes, even when you aren't pressing down on the brake pedal. This can be caused a manual brake MC input rod that is too long.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Burke VA
ok, so feeling a bit like a heel since I have done nothing to the brakes other than new rotors and pads. I have no idea how old the hoses are. And my fluid is black. So, my local parts store says my hoses are discontinued - but Rock Auto has them. And they have a lot of them. are both front hoses the same? Will these work? (2wd, standard brakes, originally an I6 powered truck).
CONI-SEAL Part # BH177083
Front Brake Hose; 1/2 TON Except 4 WHEEL/ALL WHEEL DRIVE,LEFT [Wholesaler Closeout - Private Label Pkg. - 30 Day Warranty] (Only 6 Remaining)
CONI-SEAL Part # BH177083
Front Brake Hose; 1/2 TON Except 4 WHEEL/ALL WHEEL DRIVE,LEFT [Wholesaler Closeout - Private Label Pkg. - 30 Day Warranty] (Only 6 Remaining)
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
ok, so feeling a bit like a heel since I have done nothing to the brakes other than new rotors and pads. I have no idea how old the hoses are. And my fluid is black. So, my local parts store says my hoses are discontinued - but Rock Auto has them. And they have a lot of them. are both front hoses the same? Will these work? (2wd, standard brakes, originally an I6 powered truck).
CONI-SEAL Part # BH177083
Front Brake Hose; 1/2 TON Except 4 WHEEL/ALL WHEEL DRIVE,LEFT [Wholesaler Closeout - Private Label Pkg. - 30 Day Warranty] (Only 6 Remaining)
CONI-SEAL Part # BH177083
Front Brake Hose; 1/2 TON Except 4 WHEEL/ALL WHEEL DRIVE,LEFT [Wholesaler Closeout - Private Label Pkg. - 30 Day Warranty] (Only 6 Remaining)
O'Reilly part numbers for the single piston front caliper hoses are: BH80977 right hand and BH80976 left hand. I bought these hoses locally, a few months back, when I converted from front drums to discs.
BrakeBest BH80977 - Brake Hydraulic Hose | O'Reilly Auto Parts
Brake Hose - 1977 Ford F-100 | O'Reilly Auto Parts
Brake fluid (DOT 3, 4 & 5.1) is hygroscopic. This just means over time, it absorbs moisture from the air --even in a sealed brake system. It isn't a fluid that's good for the life of the vehicle.
Depending on the climate you live in, the fluid can absorb up to 2% of moisture a year. This degrades the brake fluid, causes ferous brake components (like MCs, wheel cylinders/calipers and steel brake lines) to rust internally.
This can cause the MC, wheel cylinders, calipers, brake valves, etc. to malfunction or fail.
Brake fluid should be changed at least every 18-24 months, to keep the moisture accumulation in check and to reduce the chances of brake component malfunction or failure.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
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From: El Dorado, Arkansas
According to an internet search, there's an Advance Auto Parts store in DC and they list the brake hoses. There are two flexible brake lines in the front and one at the rear of the truck.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Burke VA
Advance is where I always go, one around the corner. They're out of stock there and all stores near me. Will the rock auto lines work? Left the same as the right?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
Bumpside and Dentside trucks aren't overly abundant on the roads today. Parts stores don't generally keep parts in stock for relatively 'uncommon' vehicles but not having them in stock at the local store doesn't mean they can't order them and get them in for you.
O'Reilly's didn't have many of the parts in stock I needed to rebuild the front end of my truck with but, they can generally order them and have them in the next day or, within a couple of days.
You can also order parts online, through O'Reilly's --or NAPA, and pick them up at the local store or, have them delivered directly to your door. I would imagine Advance Auto Parts would have the same option.
It's better to deal with a local auto parts store (as opposed to someone like Rockauto), in the event you need to make a return. It's easier to make a return at a local store than to have to box a part(s) back up and ship them back to an online store.
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