Soft Pedal Brake Issue
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,737
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From: Westfield, Indiana
SOLVED Soft Pedal Brake Issue
So now that I'm back with you guys. Give me a starting place on what I need to look for with my front brake. Here are the symptoms.
On a slow gradual stop (doesn't happen if I mash the brakes) I get pedal drop just before coming to a complete stop and I get a thud in the pedal. It's not audible but you can feel it. It reminds me of when my ABS Sensor took a dump but it's just one time. At first I thought maybe I had a caliper loose. I honestly haven't checked that but with the pedal now dropping when it happens I'm leaning toward a bigger issue than a loose caliper bolt.
Tell me where you would start? I have don't zero so far.
On a slow gradual stop (doesn't happen if I mash the brakes) I get pedal drop just before coming to a complete stop and I get a thud in the pedal. It's not audible but you can feel it. It reminds me of when my ABS Sensor took a dump but it's just one time. At first I thought maybe I had a caliper loose. I honestly haven't checked that but with the pedal now dropping when it happens I'm leaning toward a bigger issue than a loose caliper bolt.
Tell me where you would start? I have don't zero so far.
Last edited by sammie0126; Jan 27, 2019 at 07:38 AM. Reason: Solved
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Ohio
Glad to see you are alive and well. Another one of the +++ people here on FTE.
Interesting description, sounds kinda familiar. I have been chasing a similar thing in my brakes for a couple years. Feels just like the ABS, but it's just one bump on the pedal at random and infrequent times. I wouldn't say my pedal drops, but maybe? Feels like something is catching and popping loose to me. I tried a new master cylinder. Changed front calipers based on one of the seals having a slight tear. Still does it. I am down to a rear caliper or something in the ABS unit as my guesses on mine. It's never made me wonder if the truck will stop, so I try to use your signature advice on it.
Interesting description, sounds kinda familiar. I have been chasing a similar thing in my brakes for a couple years. Feels just like the ABS, but it's just one bump on the pedal at random and infrequent times. I wouldn't say my pedal drops, but maybe? Feels like something is catching and popping loose to me. I tried a new master cylinder. Changed front calipers based on one of the seals having a slight tear. Still does it. I am down to a rear caliper or something in the ABS unit as my guesses on mine. It's never made me wonder if the truck will stop, so I try to use your signature advice on it.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Westfield, Indiana
Glad to see you are alive and well. Another one of the +++ people here on FTE.
Interesting description, sounds kinda familiar. I have been chasing a similar thing in my brakes for a couple years. Feels just like the ABS, but it's just one bump on the pedal at random and infrequent times. I wouldn't say my pedal drops, but maybe? Feels like something is catching and popping loose to me. I tried a new master cylinder. Changed front calipers based on one of the seals having a slight tear. Still does it. I am down to a rear caliper or something in the ABS unit as my guesses on mine. It's never made me wonder if the truck will stop, so I try to use your signature advice on it.
Interesting description, sounds kinda familiar. I have been chasing a similar thing in my brakes for a couple years. Feels just like the ABS, but it's just one bump on the pedal at random and infrequent times. I wouldn't say my pedal drops, but maybe? Feels like something is catching and popping loose to me. I tried a new master cylinder. Changed front calipers based on one of the seals having a slight tear. Still does it. I am down to a rear caliper or something in the ABS unit as my guesses on mine. It's never made me wonder if the truck will stop, so I try to use your signature advice on it.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Christina, grab a scan tool that has the ability to actuate the ABS module and follow the brake bleeding procedure outlined in the tech folder to see if that solves your problem.
Welcome back to FTE! We missed seeing your posts!
Stewart
Welcome back to FTE! We missed seeing your posts!
Stewart
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 23
From: Westfield, Indiana
OK finally back with an update. Had to get through all that Christmas stuff first.
What it's not
A lose caliper, rotor or any other brake part.
ABS bleed needed, took to a friend who has the proper scan - he bled ABS no change
What it most likely is
A very bad ball joint. After some addl drive testing with a friend who is a mechanic he thinks the lurch I'm feeling it not in the brakes, it's the entire left front wheel assembly lurching forward as I can come a full stop. Next step is up in the air and some yanking and pulling to test.
Now I have to go find who asked me about measuring and the Pro Comp thread. Man I have a lot of threads on here! Still looking for who asked that and my original thread.
What it's not
A lose caliper, rotor or any other brake part.
ABS bleed needed, took to a friend who has the proper scan - he bled ABS no change
What it most likely is
A very bad ball joint. After some addl drive testing with a friend who is a mechanic he thinks the lurch I'm feeling it not in the brakes, it's the entire left front wheel assembly lurching forward as I can come a full stop. Next step is up in the air and some yanking and pulling to test.
Now I have to go find who asked me about measuring and the Pro Comp thread. Man I have a lot of threads on here! Still looking for who asked that and my original thread.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 182
I believe he's gathered all the information in the measurements thread (something like post 140ish...)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...easurents.html
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Yes it was me, Thank you.
post #146 is my running tally and post #29 Is Sammie’s procomp Spring height post
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...surents-4.html
post #146 is my running tally and post #29 Is Sammie’s procomp Spring height post
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...surents-4.html
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Westfield, Indiana
Just update on this issue to hopefully end at a "resolved" thread.
I'm been dragging my feet on this because I am currently recovering from a broken rib (last month) - they take forever to heal! So digging into it myself this time hasn't been an option. I had a friend check my ABS with a scanner that can open the bleeder valve and he claimed it was good. Had a "new symptom" yesterday that tells me he may not be correct.
Coming to a gradual, hard (but not emergency) stop and got the (lurch, pulse, pop) in the pedal just before coming to a full stop. Normally when this happens I pump the pedal the couple of times as I'm stopping. This time I was in a very safe location and decided to just hold it down and see what happens. I cam to a full stop and the "one hydraulic thump" I was hearing turned into a rhythmic thump every 1-2 seconds in the pedal. That maintained the entire 20 seconds or so I was at a full stop.
That tells me it is not suspension related, nor brakes at the wheel related. A continued hydraulic pulse at a full stop has to mean Master Cylinder, ABS Module seal (seals for either or both) or a booster issue.
I'm been dragging my feet on this because I am currently recovering from a broken rib (last month) - they take forever to heal! So digging into it myself this time hasn't been an option. I had a friend check my ABS with a scanner that can open the bleeder valve and he claimed it was good. Had a "new symptom" yesterday that tells me he may not be correct.
Coming to a gradual, hard (but not emergency) stop and got the (lurch, pulse, pop) in the pedal just before coming to a full stop. Normally when this happens I pump the pedal the couple of times as I'm stopping. This time I was in a very safe location and decided to just hold it down and see what happens. I cam to a full stop and the "one hydraulic thump" I was hearing turned into a rhythmic thump every 1-2 seconds in the pedal. That maintained the entire 20 seconds or so I was at a full stop.
That tells me it is not suspension related, nor brakes at the wheel related. A continued hydraulic pulse at a full stop has to mean Master Cylinder, ABS Module seal (seals for either or both) or a booster issue.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Neither the booster nor the master cylinder contain anything that can make a noise like that, as far as I know. It sounds to me like the ABS pump cycling.
Can you scan the ABS module with forscan? Maybe you have a wheel sensor that's giving bad information, or some other problem that might throw a code.
Can you scan the ABS module with forscan? Maybe you have a wheel sensor that's giving bad information, or some other problem that might throw a code.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Westfield, Indiana
Neither the booster nor the master cylinder contain anything that can make a noise like that, as far as I know. It sounds to me like the ABS pump cycling.
Can you scan the ABS module with forscan? Maybe you have a wheel sensor that's giving bad information, or some other problem that might throw a code.
Can you scan the ABS module with forscan? Maybe you have a wheel sensor that's giving bad information, or some other problem that might throw a code.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Westfield, Indiana
Went searching today on here to find some guidance before I called in more favors to resolve this and ironically https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ssues-ugh.html
Just pulled my ABS fuse to test and see if with the ABS disabled if the problem resolves itself in the short term.
Just pulled my ABS fuse to test and see if with the ABS disabled if the problem resolves itself in the short term.
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,737
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From: Westfield, Indiana
Went searching today on here to find some guidance before I called in more favors to resolve this and ironically https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ssues-ugh.html
Just pulled my ABS fuse to test and see if with the ABS disabled if the problem resolves itself in the short term.
Just pulled my ABS fuse to test and see if with the ABS disabled if the problem resolves itself in the short term.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,440
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Interesting that a bad sensor wouldn't set off a code. Good to hear that you figured out what was up with it though. My aunt's car has been doing some strange things similar to what yours is doing so now I'm wondering if I need to take a look at the abs sensor on her car.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
I can see why there was no code set. You are slowing down, on the brakes, the sensor drops to zero so the computer thinks the wheel locked up. It runs the ABS pump to "correct" the issue and it pats itself on the back thinking it did a great job.
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