Brakes are locking up
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Savannah to piedmont
Brakes are locking up
The excursion I bought as a project will random have the front brakes lock up. I thought i fixed the problem when I pulled the brakes apart and replaced the pads checking to make sure the calipers were releasing and my rotors were straight. It drove good for about 100 miles then randomly the front right locked up almost pulling me into the ditch. So I let it cool down so I could drive it to get it off the side road but once it cooled down it finned the other 100 miles fine. After that I was just driving to see if it would happen again and my front left locked up, just not as bad. Let it cool down again and drove home. Right before making it home my rght frknt locked again. So to get to my question is it as simple as a caliper rebuild or get new ones or something else? Has anyone ran into this problem? I plan to get bigger rotors and calipers hear soon i just want to get all the bugs out first and don't want to replace calipers and it be something else messjng up my new calipers. Also any suggestions on new calipers and rotors would be great. Thank you in advance
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
Likes: 1,574
From: Media PA
So on these random individual lockups, were you applying the brakes at the time or cruising steady state and had the wheel lockup?
I agree with Lance, it could be the inner brake hose has failed and needs replacement.
Are you sure that its the brakes? Are they running hotter than typical (dragging)? Is this a 4X4, if so are the front unit bearings still healthy or do they sound a little crunchy with the wheel jacked up and hand spun?
Are the front hubs free? Set the auto hub (if still equipped with the auto hubs) to AUTO and reach behind the tire and try to spin the U joint in the knuckle, try both sides. A completely trashed U joint can lock up if it the hub isn't free and is turning that bad joint.
Just curious as to which big brake kit you are planning to upgrade to in the future, the options are very limited and expensive.
I agree with Lance, it could be the inner brake hose has failed and needs replacement.
Are you sure that its the brakes? Are they running hotter than typical (dragging)? Is this a 4X4, if so are the front unit bearings still healthy or do they sound a little crunchy with the wheel jacked up and hand spun?
Are the front hubs free? Set the auto hub (if still equipped with the auto hubs) to AUTO and reach behind the tire and try to spin the U joint in the knuckle, try both sides. A completely trashed U joint can lock up if it the hub isn't free and is turning that bad joint.
Just curious as to which big brake kit you are planning to upgrade to in the future, the options are very limited and expensive.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Savannah to piedmont
So on these random individual lockups, were you applying the brakes at the time or cruising steady state and had the wheel lockup?
I agree with Lance, it could be the inner brake hose has failed and needs replacement.
Are you sure that its the brakes? Are they running hotter than typical (dragging)? Is this a 4X4, if so are the front unit bearings still healthy or do they sound a little crunchy with the wheel jacked up and hand spun?
Are the front hubs free? Set the auto hub (if still equipped with the auto hubs) to AUTO and reach behind the tire and try to spin the U joint in the knuckle, try both sides. A completely trashed U joint can lock up if it the hub isn't free and is turning that bad joint.
Just curious as to which big brake kit you are planning to upgrade to in the future, the options are very limited and expensive.
I agree with Lance, it could be the inner brake hose has failed and needs replacement.
Are you sure that its the brakes? Are they running hotter than typical (dragging)? Is this a 4X4, if so are the front unit bearings still healthy or do they sound a little crunchy with the wheel jacked up and hand spun?
Are the front hubs free? Set the auto hub (if still equipped with the auto hubs) to AUTO and reach behind the tire and try to spin the U joint in the knuckle, try both sides. A completely trashed U joint can lock up if it the hub isn't free and is turning that bad joint.
Just curious as to which big brake kit you are planning to upgrade to in the future, the options are very limited and expensive.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Savannah to piedmont
Thank you, that was a way faster reply than I was expecting. I out more info into my other reply if that may change your answer which I doubt.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 418
Likes: 4
From: Tacoma, WA
The excursion I bought as a project will random have the front brakes lock up. I thought i fixed the problem when I pulled the brakes apart and replaced the pads checking to make sure the calipers were releasing and my rotors were straight. It drove good for about 100 miles then randomly the front right locked up almost pulling me into the ditch. So I let it cool down so I could drive it to get it off the side road but once it cooled down it finned the other 100 miles fine. After that I was just driving to see if it would happen again and my front left locked up, just not as bad. Let it cool down again and drove home. Right before making it home my rght frknt locked again. So to get to my question is it as simple as a caliper rebuild or get new ones or something else? Has anyone ran into this problem? I plan to get bigger rotors and calipers hear soon i just want to get all the bugs out first and don't want to replace calipers and it be something else messjng up my new calipers. Also any suggestions on new calipers and rotors would be great. Thank you in advance
Mine were locking up on the front and it was definitely a caliper issue. One of the two pistons was seized on the driver front and passenger rear. Caliper rebuilding is not fun, but well worth it. The parts are inexpensive, but you have to clean the calipers well to complete the job. If you got lots of extra cash, just spring for reman OEM calipers.
Replace all your soft lines while you are at it. BuyBrakes.com is where I got mine.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
Likes: 1,574
From: Media PA
While I was trying to figure out the brake problem I went ahead and replaced both the outer seal for the axel, the seal in the knuckle that holds the outer axel shaft, the u-joint, ball joints, tie rod ends set to the same length as previous, etc. My lower ball joint is a whole other problem im working I n now but I have just replaced that. The old u joints looked great and I had no indication that it was going bad just wanted to replace everything while I started pulling it a part for the bad seal in the knuckle amd the brakes issue. The ex is a 4x4 but the hub is brand new as well as the selector. Would you recommend just trying a new set of steel braided lines or just go back oem? I haven't found a set im willing to go ahead and get but I do plan to get some here soon. I saw mixed reviews on powerstops set that fits the ex so idk how I feel about them. I don't plan to go top of the line just something better than what I have.
OK, so safe to say the U joint can be ruled out.
The choice to use OEM style new rubber brake lines or Russell or Crown stainless braided is yours to make, all will perform as the should and any of them will address any issues with the nearly 20 year old factory soft lines.
Pulling the front calipers and checking for a frozen or broken piston would be a good next step.
Just be aware that the Power Stop brake kits, a popular choice around here, are really just reman OEM calipers and stock sized rotors with decent pads. I only mention this because you had mentioned going with "bigger rotors and calipers" in your original post. There are options for that in the aftermarket but it requires 20" minimum wheel size and about $5K in the new brake parts.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,838
Likes: 3,142
From: Jersey Shore
Randon one side then the other can be hoses, or the other things noted. The easiest way to confirm hoses to carry around a 10mm wrench and when the pulling occurs, check to see if there is pressure built up when opening the bleeder screw.
If the calipers were every let hang by the hoses, hose twisted when the calipers installed, or you have a lift where the hose just makes it on the jack stands, it's the hoses. The Excursions are 15-20 years old, it's time for new brake hoses all around. If you go with standard rubber hoses, get them from the Ford dealer. There are several designs of brake hoses based on expansion rate, and while Ford used the lowest expansion rate hoses on the Superduty lineup (which still get tired) the aftermarket one may not be the least expansion version.
If the calipers were every let hang by the hoses, hose twisted when the calipers installed, or you have a lift where the hose just makes it on the jack stands, it's the hoses. The Excursions are 15-20 years old, it's time for new brake hoses all around. If you go with standard rubber hoses, get them from the Ford dealer. There are several designs of brake hoses based on expansion rate, and while Ford used the lowest expansion rate hoses on the Superduty lineup (which still get tired) the aftermarket one may not be the least expansion version.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post