Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

brake problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 28, 2021 | 06:33 PM
  #1  
Davis f250's Avatar
Davis f250
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 10
brake problems

My name is Davis, and Im new to this website. I have a 1978 f250. I'm having brake issues with my front brakes. They are sticking every once in a while and I have to bleed pressure out of the lines at the master cylinder. Any suggestions as to where to start trouble shooting the problem?

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2021 | 08:21 PM
  #2  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
Power or no power brakes?
Just the front or both front & back you need to do ttat to?
Next time it happens back the nuts off the master and see if that takes the pressure away.
Dave ----
 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2021 | 09:14 PM
  #3  
tbear853's Avatar
tbear853
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,830
Likes: 2,611
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I would check my temps with just the hand next time, if a brake hose is blocking return due to an imnternal fault on a line, a mile or so will heat that brake up hot enough you'll feel it just getting close to that brake, you will not want to touch it ... so don't. If you smell it and step on the brake as it's moving and the steering wheel is pulled left, it's the right front brake and vicey versa. If it seams to be all of them ... or just one end as you said, could be the brake proportioning block in the left frame rail under the M-C. If you do try to loosen a tube nut on the MC, the rear "larger" reservoir is front brakes.

1976-86 Ford F150 F250 F350 Truck Disc Drum Brake Line Proportioning Valve Combo | eBay
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2021 | 02:11 AM
  #4  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
At first I was going to say hose but he is undoing a line at the master so it's that whole system master to wheel.
If it was a bad hose then undoing a line at the master would not release the pressure.
Dave. ----
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2021 | 03:18 AM
  #5  
redroad's Avatar
redroad
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
Club FTE Gold Member
The rubber brake hose that runs from the hard line to the caliper when old can become pliable and collapse from a vacuum created in the line. This condition has similar symptoms as mentioned by the OP. The solution is to replace both the rubber brake hoses.
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2021 | 06:08 AM
  #6  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by redroad
The rubber brake hose that runs from the hard line to the caliper when old can become pliable and collapse from a vacuum created in the line. This condition has similar symptoms as mentioned by the OP. The solution is to replace both the rubber brake hoses.
So you are saying there is a vacuum between master and the 2 rubber lines and that is why they are holding pressure?
If he undid the line at the master and it's under a vacuum it would let air into the system and no fluid would leak out.
If it had pressure when he opens the fitting at the master fluid would pass out.

Now don't get me wrong if the hoses are old yes just replace them but I would want to know what the cause is before throwing parts at it.
Rod adjustment at the master If to long will not let the pistons back all the way holding pressure on the system..
That is why I said to loosen the master to see what happens.
Dave. ----
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2021 | 07:21 AM
  #7  
redroad's Avatar
redroad
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by FuzzFace2
So you are saying there is a vacuum between master and the 2 rubber lines and that is why they are holding pressure?
If he undid the line at the master and it's under a vacuum it would let air into the system and no fluid would leak out.
If it had pressure when he opens the fitting at the master fluid would pass out.

Now don't get me wrong if the hoses are old yes just replace them but I would want to know what the cause is before throwing parts at it.
Rod adjustment at the master If to long will not let the pistons back all the way holding pressure on the system..
That is why I said to loosen the master to see what happens.
Dave. ----
What happens is the inner lining rubber gets ruptured and then acts as a one way check valve not allowing the piston and pad to return when you release your brake pedal.


 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2021 | 05:34 PM
  #8  
tbear853's Avatar
tbear853
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,830
Likes: 2,611
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I just went through it last October on my '77, was a old hose on left front so I replaced both. Like in the picture, a piece of liner gets loose patly, you press on the pedal, fluid moves it and passes, then when you releas the braske, the now reversed fluid pushes that rubber piece into small undamage portion, and it's enough to hold the brake applied or not fully released. Cracking the bleeder will release it until the next time you use the brakes. My left front, my shop air could not blow through it in reverse direction. If cracking the bleeder doesn't release the brake, think caliper.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 30, 2021 | 08:13 AM
  #9  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by redroad
What happens is the inner lining rubber gets ruptured and then acts as a one way check valve not allowing the piston and pad to return when you release your brake pedal.

I know that is what happens but the OP said he undid a fitting at the master how would that remove pressure at the caliper if the line was plugged?
Dave ----
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2021 | 12:02 PM
  #10  
redroad's Avatar
redroad
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
Club FTE Gold Member
I know that is what happens but the OP said he undid a fitting at the master how would that remove pressure at the caliper if the line was plugged?
Dave ----
I don't believe this condition just happens over night but rather is a gradual progression where partial blockage can produce varying degrees of the problem. Like the condition reported by the op.
They are sticking every once in a while and I have to bleed pressure out of the lines at the master cylinder. Any suggestions as to where to start trouble shooting the problem?
I have experienced everything from the caliper wouldn't release at all to it dragged for a bit and then released. The first time it happened I diagnosed the problem as calipers and that was 30 years ago. Now any older vehicle I work on I spend the $25 and put on the new rubber lines. If it's a work truck or off road rig I spend the $ for the braided stainless steel lines.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2021 | 12:11 PM
  #11  
Davis f250's Avatar
Davis f250
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 30
Likes: 10
Thanks for all the valuable input. It sounds like the problem has been narrowed down the to rubber brake lines. I ordered 2 new rubber brake lines. I will let you Guys know if that solves the problem. Thanks again for the help.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2021 | 06:52 PM
  #12  
redroad's Avatar
redroad
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
Club FTE Gold Member
A few notes when you go to replace your rubber brake lines:
1) When separating the hard line from the rubber line use a line wrench to secure the hard line to insure no twisting of the hard line otherwise you might end up replacing it also.
2) The metal bracket that secures the union of the two lines is no longer being made so be extra careful with it.
3) Be sure the new brake hoses have new copper mounting washers included.
 
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2023 | 04:57 PM
  #13  
powerstrokeN1's Avatar
powerstrokeN1
Trailering
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Davis f250
Thanks for all the valuable input. It sounds like the problem has been narrowed down the to rubber brake lines. I ordered 2 new rubber brake lines. I will let you Guys know if that solves the problem. Thanks again for the help.

WAS IT THE RUBBER BRAKE LINES?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Teepeester
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Mar 29, 2020 09:07 PM
blackhawk21
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
1
Sep 29, 2013 09:08 PM
NBC-Steve
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
20
Jun 21, 2010 09:51 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:34 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE