Excursion brakes problems
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Excursion brakes problems
Hello.
I have been having some problems with the brakes on my 01 excursion. The truck sits outside and sees around 6000 miles a year on average. The problem I am having is that the calipers and the caliper pins are freezing up. I have owned the truck for 6 years and put around 30,000 miles on it. When I bought the truck, it just had 3 calipers replaced and a complete brake job. Since I've owned it, I have replaced 3 calipers (2 back and 1 front), 2 caliper mounting brackets due to the pins rusting up, and a couple of times of freeing up the pins without replacing anything. I have been told by mechanics that the super duty trucks have had problems with calipers. Is this the case, or do I have a different problem? Does the truck need to be driven more (it should be)?
Thanks.
I have been having some problems with the brakes on my 01 excursion. The truck sits outside and sees around 6000 miles a year on average. The problem I am having is that the calipers and the caliper pins are freezing up. I have owned the truck for 6 years and put around 30,000 miles on it. When I bought the truck, it just had 3 calipers replaced and a complete brake job. Since I've owned it, I have replaced 3 calipers (2 back and 1 front), 2 caliper mounting brackets due to the pins rusting up, and a couple of times of freeing up the pins without replacing anything. I have been told by mechanics that the super duty trucks have had problems with calipers. Is this the case, or do I have a different problem? Does the truck need to be driven more (it should be)?
Thanks.
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
From: North NJ
When any work was done were the caliper pins lubed properly? They have a tendency to get stuck if that is skipped. and wear out early. That woulkd be the first thing I would check.I am in north NJ and have not had that issue over the last 2 years and have barely been able to drive my Ex.
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
The hoses appear to be in good shape. I have got into the habit of regreasing the pins when I rotate the tires and using a high temp caliper grease. I am completing a rear brake job in which one of the pistons of the caliper was stuck so bad I could not get it to move. On the other side, a caliper pin is rusted so bad that I cannot get it to move. Thus, destroying the rear pads and one rotor. This has just become routine every couple of years.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 155
From: Milwaukee, WI
Just trying to assist with problem solving here:
- Are you getting the pin boots installed properly? If they're not seated properly to seal the pin after it's greased, that would allow moisture and road salt to infiltrate easily.
- Does the Ex ever get driven through water, light flooding frequently?
- What quality/brand of calipers are you getting? Rebuilds or new, OEM, Napa, Autozone?
- Consider a preventative maintenance schedule to check and re-grease the pins based on time, not mileage. I live in Wisconsin with road salt all winter. Some years mileage my mileage is under 5K. I check calipers and service them about every two years, in the summer time when the weather is good. It's a pretty easy process. Also helps identify caliper pin issues early, before they're frozen up.
Keep us posted on how it's going and what your approach is.
Jasonodsky
- Are you getting the pin boots installed properly? If they're not seated properly to seal the pin after it's greased, that would allow moisture and road salt to infiltrate easily.
- Does the Ex ever get driven through water, light flooding frequently?
- What quality/brand of calipers are you getting? Rebuilds or new, OEM, Napa, Autozone?
- Consider a preventative maintenance schedule to check and re-grease the pins based on time, not mileage. I live in Wisconsin with road salt all winter. Some years mileage my mileage is under 5K. I check calipers and service them about every two years, in the summer time when the weather is good. It's a pretty easy process. Also helps identify caliper pin issues early, before they're frozen up.
Keep us posted on how it's going and what your approach is.
Jasonodsky
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 53
From: Connecticut
My shop says "drive it more" and I'm like "hey, I'll do what the doc says..."
Trending Topics
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 20
I believe there is a Ford bulliten about cleaning and relubing the pins every 6mos if not driven on a regular basis.I was going through calopers and pads like crazy on my 02 Quigley 4WD van until I started to pull the pins each spring and fall.Also,check U-Tube for a tutorial on properly installing the pins and boots.If the boots are not installed properly, it allows water to get in and rust the pins.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 16
From: Colorado
I noticed that my pins and calipers on the front would cause issues if not driven regularly. Drove me NUTS. I even went so far as to replace the rubber lines all around with Russell braided steel lines. It just came down to regular use, in my instance.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jakgod3
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Jun 21, 2015 09:50 PM