I have a 2001 F250 4x4 CrewCab V10 with 35's. I will be towing a car across the country on a Uhual trailer in a month. Today I decided to test the brakes on my truck and was a little disappointed. When I slammed on the brakes at any speed 25mph or 60 mph I could not even get my seat belt to lock let alone have the abs kick in. The pedal was down the floor, the truck slows at a good rate it just does't feel great especially when I think about having a trailer attached and a loaded bed. For normal driving they feel fine I just think they are weak for an emergency situation. I know its a big truck and the tires do not help but does this sound normal or are my brake under preforming?

Additional Info:

I will be towing with stock size tires which I am sure will help I just don't know how much.

Brake pads and rotors are 2-3 year old and I do mostly city driving. Is it simply time for new pads?

Brake fluid level looks good and I don't see any obvious leaks but I will look more closely tomorrow.

Had a vacuum leak that caused the A/C to stay on defrost but that is now fixed. Could I have another vacuum leak that is effecting the brake booster?

Put my dirty hands on one of the front rotors the other day and forgot go clean the disc after. I know that is not ideal but could it be make that significant of a difference?

Thanks for any input, just trying to make sure everything is good to go and don't want to leave the brakes up to chance!

 

Any clue what kind of rotors and pads you have? Might be time for an upgrade. Everyday braking on my 2011 6.7L suffered when I put the full replacement Ranch Hand pipe bumpers front and rear and went from the factory 26 gallon to the Titan 50 gallon tank, all at the same time. When I later went to a little larger tires, it didn't make it any better. It's not that I can't stop with the factory stuff still on it, but I definitely noticed a difference before and after, and I have to apply more pressure over a greater distance before I get whoa'ed up. I've gotten used to it, but they were starting to get a little worn, and I said screw it and ordered new brakes.

If you're interested, go to Black Magic Brakes and contact them about your application. Won't be cheap like the store brands, but it'll still be cheaper and better than the EBC stuff.

I just ordered new Centric Preimum rotors from Rock Auto and ordered pads from the Black Magic guy. I've been shocked at how good that combination has been on several Jeeps I've put them on (mine first and then helped a couple others put them on theirs), so I got them to send me the right ones for my truck. Just got them in, will be installing them in the next few days when I get some time and some dry enough weather to bed them in properly.

 

I don't remember the exact brand of the pads or rotors. They are not anything top of the line but I don't cheap you on brake parts either. So they are probably middle of the road rockauto parts.

 

Was it doing fine and now suddenly it's not? Did something change? Or has this always been this way?

If you don't have any vacuum leaks, your brake fluid isn't contaminated (it shouldn't be), and all your calipers appear to be clamping and releasing properly, then I don't know what else to tell you other than time for new brakes. You could always try flushing the brakes and putting fresh fluid in it, but it really shouldn't need it unless something much bigger was wrong.

 

To be honest I think they have been like this for a while I just never really noticed because I have not had to slam on my brakes really hard in a long time. Under normal conditions they seem fine its just when I really slam on them they don't feel great. I guess I will inspect a little more and if everything checks out I will just get new pads and hopefully that will fix the issue.

 

Mine are what I would call a little weak to. I really have to put my foot into it to get them to stop with any authority. Changed the hoses, pads, and one locked up caliper on the rear, the brake pressure switch on the master cylinder because it was leaking. Bled them out properly and there is no difference. I have confidence in them but you really have to put the foot down on them.


Maybe that is normal. Not in my experience but this is my first Super Duty.

 

Sounds like they are glazed over or were never properly broken in.

 

I dunno...I remember testing the brakes after installing Wagner Severe Duty pads on my Excursion and being unimpressed. Took the time to bed them in as well. I always thought they should be capable of locking the wheels, but I don't think that's the case with the earlier generation Super Duties.

Remember that U-haul trailer should have surge brakes, and those are responsible for stopping the weight on the trailer. If functioning correctly your stopping distance will be just slightly longer than unloaded.

 

Thanks for the help guys sounds like my brake are pretty normal I guess. I am probably still going to change the pads I think just to be safe. I too thought that they should be capable of locking the wheels, but I guess it is what it is. I am looking at the power stop z36 pads they are reasonably priced and look pretty good. I have heard Hawk pads are great too but they are a little to pricey for my taste.

 

Why how much are they?

 

About $100 for the front LTS ones is what I was finding. The z36 are only $40 on rockauto.

 

If $100 is too much to spend to be able to stop an 8,000 pound truck safely with confidence, especially with a trailer behind you on a trip, then yeah, maybe just live with what you've got.

I've never understood why people will pay big money to buy vehicles, mod them up, maintain them, but they won't get decent brakes once every 5 years when it's the one thing you use every single time and could actually save your ***.

 

I went through this last summer on my 00 f250 ccsb. change your brake fluid if it's old, it will help. I started with some braided brake lines, pads and fresh fluid. the new brake lines really helped firm up the feel of the brake pedal. the factory rubber hoses do give a little under pressure. also remove your rear brake sensor and clean it off. mine was covered with metal flakes from the diff.


I decided to also upgrade the calipers since mine were really worn, no leaks but the seals looked like they were ready to go. I tow a toy hauler up and down a long steep grade quite a bit in the spring and summer months and never liked the factory brakes.


I went big and got the stainless steel brakes v8 8 piston calipers. the new calipers are huge and not only replace the caliper but the caliper bracket as well. the new caliper is also a fixed type and has to be shimmed for proper alignment. I have no fears of not being able to stop anymore. I highly recommend the v8 calipers

 

I changed my rotors to cross drilled/slotted and the pads to HAWK LTS, then changed the fluid out to a fresh batch. The truck had a completely different feel from the stock setup and did very well towing a 10K lbs travel trailer back and forth over the Rocky Mountains this past summer.

I highly recommend a similar setup.