Brake Help!
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4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Brake Help!
I’ve had a strange problem on my excursion. Coming home from work it felt sluggish, like one or more brakes weredragging. Got home and all 4 were screaming hot, particularly the rear ones. Let it sit.
Took it out today for a short drive and the passenger rear seems to be the cause. But why would all 4 be hot the other day?
I have SSBC calipers on the front and just broke down and bought them for the back today. Hopefully that will fix the problem? Thoughts?
could one stuck caliper screw them all up? Should I replace master cylinder and booster at the same time? I already replaced all the lines w stainless, but as a weekend warrior the master cylinder and booster scares me. Should it
Took it out today for a short drive and the passenger rear seems to be the cause. But why would all 4 be hot the other day?
I have SSBC calipers on the front and just broke down and bought them for the back today. Hopefully that will fix the problem? Thoughts?
could one stuck caliper screw them all up? Should I replace master cylinder and booster at the same time? I already replaced all the lines w stainless, but as a weekend warrior the master cylinder and booster scares me. Should it
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 70
Likes: 18
Rear brakes hanging up, yep had that problem. common I think. replaced the calipers, fixed it. I don't know why all four would be hot. What's hot? Hot is relative. Did you put a laser temp gauge on them? One caliper affects one rotor. The end. I don't work on anything anymore, 20 years as an aviation mechanic cured that and a big bank acct, I take all my work to my mechanic. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 63
From: Florida and Tennessee
Replace the rubber lines with SS reinforced ones. Often times the hoses/brake line fails internally and acts like a check valve and keeps the system pressurized. Also you should flush the brake fluid since it may have been degraded from heat.
Last edited by DavenTn; Mar 16, 2026 at 11:03 AM.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
2nd what Dave said. brake fluid attracts water, and eventually causes the internal steel backing to fail. and if you live up north in the salt/snow, it's even more likely to happen. a partial collapse isn't easy to find/diagnose.
My last Excursion put me through hell because of those collapsed lines. Finally replaced all 5 rubber lines (don't forget the frame to axle rubber line) and it fixed my issues.
SS lines are nice but pricey. $10-15 per line for regular rubber. be a great time to flush the old fluid as well. pretty good odds you have original lines that are 20+ years old.
My last Excursion put me through hell because of those collapsed lines. Finally replaced all 5 rubber lines (don't forget the frame to axle rubber line) and it fixed my issues.
SS lines are nice but pricey. $10-15 per line for regular rubber. be a great time to flush the old fluid as well. pretty good odds you have original lines that are 20+ years old.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,096
Likes: 534
From: Rock Hill, SC
Been busy with many projects as usual.
I'm still not a fan of the overall braking capacity of this vehicle, but the pulling situation has been resolved.
In preparation of a trip towing the camper, I removed the R/R new caliper and replaced it with the original one. This resolved the issue. Once back from my trip I stripped both new rear calipers of their slide pin grease, cleaned the pins and bores with brake clean, and re lubed with a thinner grease. Once both new calipers were installed there are no more issues. I may keep my 4 cores for down the road.
I'm still not a fan of the overall braking capacity of this vehicle, but the pulling situation has been resolved.
In preparation of a trip towing the camper, I removed the R/R new caliper and replaced it with the original one. This resolved the issue. Once back from my trip I stripped both new rear calipers of their slide pin grease, cleaned the pins and bores with brake clean, and re lubed with a thinner grease. Once both new calipers were installed there are no more issues. I may keep my 4 cores for down the road.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 63
From: Florida and Tennessee
Been busy with many projects as usual.
I'm still not a fan of the overall braking capacity of this vehicle, but the pulling situation has been resolved.
In preparation of a trip towing the camper, I removed the R/R new caliper and replaced it with the original one. This resolved the issue. Once back from my trip I stripped both new rear calipers of their slide pin grease, cleaned the pins and bores with brake clean, and re lubed with a thinner grease. Once both new calipers were installed there are no more issues. I may keep my 4 cores for down the road.
I'm still not a fan of the overall braking capacity of this vehicle, but the pulling situation has been resolved.
In preparation of a trip towing the camper, I removed the R/R new caliper and replaced it with the original one. This resolved the issue. Once back from my trip I stripped both new rear calipers of their slide pin grease, cleaned the pins and bores with brake clean, and re lubed with a thinner grease. Once both new calipers were installed there are no more issues. I may keep my 4 cores for down the road.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 524
From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
i just read something about right rear brake hanging up. When it does this, you need to loosen the bleeder screw. if it shoots fluid out, then it's an issue with the master cylinder and needs to be replaced.
SSBC front/ rear...that's an investment. Sounds like you got plenty of advice to solve any issues
SSBC front/ rear...that's an investment. Sounds like you got plenty of advice to solve any issues
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,096
Likes: 534
From: Rock Hill, SC
I also activated the ABS bleed 2x per wheel. I'm thinking the slide pin grease on these new Ford calipers had dried out or too much was applied.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,096
Likes: 534
From: Rock Hill, SC
2 years ago, I had new brakes installed completely, front and rear.
the fronts are Detroit Axle slotted rotors, awesome stopping power.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G7CN5ST
the fronts are Detroit Axle slotted rotors, awesome stopping power.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G7CN5ST
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,065
Likes: 1,414
From: Oologah, OK
no maintenance records.
brake performance is much improved over ??? whatever was on it....
the left front knuckle was locking up on hard left turns, so had all of that replaced with new, both sides.
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 17
From: Catskill Mountains Of NY
I put on the 'red' slotted rotors and calipers. The slots quickly filed up with brake material and one rotor cracked causing a me to have me Excursion flat bedded home. My wife quested the reliability of the Excursion after that. 
I went back to the best non slotted rotor Rock had.
I go thru calipers yearly though.
I went back to the best non slotted rotor Rock had.
I go thru calipers yearly though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,096
Likes: 534
From: Rock Hill, SC
I put on the 'red' slotted rotors and calipers. The slots quickly filed up with brake material and one rotor cracked causing a me to have me Excursion flat bedded home. My wife quested the reliability of the Excursion after that.
I went back to the best non slotted rotor Rock had.
I go thru calipers yearly though.
I went back to the best non slotted rotor Rock had.
I go thru calipers yearly though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,065
Likes: 1,414
From: Oologah, OK
I put on the 'red' slotted rotors and calipers. The slots quickly filed up with brake material and one rotor cracked causing a me to have me Excursion flat bedded home. My wife quested the reliability of the Excursion after that.
I went back to the best non slotted rotor Rock had.
I go thru calipers yearly though.
I went back to the best non slotted rotor Rock had.
I go thru calipers yearly though.
I have a Constant fight with my Daughter.
She drives right up to the Stop SIGN, and then hits the brake pedal.
I have told her repeatedly, and by Example, get off the go pedal an 1/8 mile back or more, and let the Engine slow you down.
I almost never, ever, apply brakes until I have slowed down to 30 mph, or less....
where I live, is off a Major US highway, the Semi trucks blast thru our 40 mph speed zone, at 70 mph.....
I purposely hit the right turn signal, and blink the brake lights back at the Yellow Caution Sign, to where I need to turn off to the right....
I want them to go around me, not stack up on my bumper.
I rarely have to replace brake pads or rotors in less than 50,000 miles.