SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2002
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SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
Had my 250 SD supercab V10 a couple of weeks now.
Besides the crappy tires (Firestone Steeltex that I hated so much I replaced them) and a wandering problem ( that went away after a few miles and the tire swap) my biggest complaint is that the initial brake feel is weak.
When I jump in my 94 150 SC and hit the brakes they just about lock up as I am pressing them like the 250 SD. The 250 brakes take way more effort to get the thing slowed down. This seems weird to me cause the 250 has 4 wheel disk and the 150 has rear drums and front disk. I know that the truck is bigger and heavier but with brakes sized for towing I would think that they would function better. They feel fine once I get into them but initial bite sucks.
Are they like this or is there something I can do to improve initial bite and feel?
Besides the crappy tires (Firestone Steeltex that I hated so much I replaced them) and a wandering problem ( that went away after a few miles and the tire swap) my biggest complaint is that the initial brake feel is weak.
When I jump in my 94 150 SC and hit the brakes they just about lock up as I am pressing them like the 250 SD. The 250 brakes take way more effort to get the thing slowed down. This seems weird to me cause the 250 has 4 wheel disk and the 150 has rear drums and front disk. I know that the truck is bigger and heavier but with brakes sized for towing I would think that they would function better. They feel fine once I get into them but initial bite sucks.
Are they like this or is there something I can do to improve initial bite and feel?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Medford USA!
SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Sep-02 AT 10:15 PM (EST)]You can put high performance pads on, but you gotta remember that these trucks weigh (depending on configuration) about 6800 pounds. They're NOT F150's;-)
You might also check to make sure your brakes are bled. Go to a dealers and drive another one and see if they stop the same. This might indicate if yours are "A-ok".
Geez, I just realized post #300. I gotta get a life
You might also check to make sure your brakes are bled. Go to a dealers and drive another one and see if they stop the same. This might indicate if yours are "A-ok".
Geez, I just realized post #300. I gotta get a life
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
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SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
Everything on these trucks is heavier than on a half ton and IMO the wheels and tires have quite a bit of inertia to overcome when stopping.Having said this you may never get that half ton brake feel with factory parts.
Here are a couple of things that can reduce braking performance.Are your brakes broke in?Braking performance is usually not up to snuff the first 500mi.or so.Breaking in brake pads too hard can also reduce braking performance over the life of the pads.
Here are a couple of things that can reduce braking performance.Are your brakes broke in?Braking performance is usually not up to snuff the first 500mi.or so.Breaking in brake pads too hard can also reduce braking performance over the life of the pads.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
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From: USA
SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
only other thing you might have them chk is a vacuum leak to the brake booster.
Rich
Rich
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: South of you
SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
S Casey, if everything else mechanical seems okay, try the high performance pads. I had......carbon metallic pads on my F-150. They stopped much, much, much quicker......they also chomped the rotors much, much, much quicker. I know there are many brake upgrades out there, so do your homework first. How 'bout vented rotors? Are there any out there for the Ex's and S/D's???? Just curious?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2002
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SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
Just and update for those interested.
After 1100 miles and a trip to the dealer whose brake expert told me they weren't as good as the could be but would be better after 2000 miles(insert idiot icon here). I decided I couldn't live with wooden brakes on my new ride. I put Bendex Fleet MetLok pads on the front and am now a happy camper. They have superior cold performance, much better initial bite and modulate much better with way less pressure. Not a bad upgrade for $125.00 installed.
What pisses me off is that on a truck with a sticker over $32K I had to #####can the Firestone ATs and the front pads just so my truck works like it should. Doesn’t anyone at Ford drive these dang things? Or maybe the test drivers like trucks that wiggle all over the place and don’t stop.
After 1100 miles and a trip to the dealer whose brake expert told me they weren't as good as the could be but would be better after 2000 miles(insert idiot icon here). I decided I couldn't live with wooden brakes on my new ride. I put Bendex Fleet MetLok pads on the front and am now a happy camper. They have superior cold performance, much better initial bite and modulate much better with way less pressure. Not a bad upgrade for $125.00 installed.
What pisses me off is that on a truck with a sticker over $32K I had to #####can the Firestone ATs and the front pads just so my truck works like it should. Doesn’t anyone at Ford drive these dang things? Or maybe the test drivers like trucks that wiggle all over the place and don’t stop.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 44
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From: Lisbon usa
SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
I had or have the same problem with mine as well. After several trips to several dealers they say they are just fine, so i just stand harder on them, it is still under warranty so if it breaks they fix it.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40
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SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
>I had or have the same problem with mine as well. After
>several trips to several dealers they say they are just
>fine, so i just stand harder on them, it is still under
>warranty so if it breaks they fix it.
So if you hit someone or something do they fix that?
>several trips to several dealers they say they are just
>fine, so i just stand harder on them, it is still under
>warranty so if it breaks they fix it.
So if you hit someone or something do they fix that?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 621
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From: S.W. Oregon
SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
There have been many posts with good information about the weak super duty brakes in other threads. When I complained about mine to the dealer they actually replaced the booster. They said they felt after testing the truck, that the booster was "weak". If it made any difference, it is so slight as to be almost unnoticeable.
Ken - When you get your a.r.t.'s done, please post and let us know how much of an improvement there is - Thanks
Ken - When you get your a.r.t.'s done, please post and let us know how much of an improvement there is - Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2001
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SD Brakes ( why do they feel weak?)
You guys can get mad if you want but the way I see it is FORD BRAKES STINK>>> They are weak. I don't care if the truck weighs 55,000 lbs weak is weak and they are weak So thats the way it is and you have to live with the weakness because FORD is never gonna change thats just the way they are... And when I say weak I mean when I tromp on the pedal and it fades out and never grabbs at all and sometimes scares the &**$&#^ out of me that is what I mean. Now you would think since FORD is a heavier built truck than the dodge and chevy they would also realize that they need just as heavy braking system, but thay don't and they won't because thats the way it is...now you all know how I feel about the brakes on my truck....
00 F-250 4+4 Ext. Cab Long Bed
They are weak. I don't care if the truck weighs 55,000 lbs weak is weak and they are weak So thats the way it is and you have to live with the weakness because FORD is never gonna change thats just the way they are... And when I say weak I mean when I tromp on the pedal and it fades out and never grabbs at all and sometimes scares the &**$&#^ out of me that is what I mean. Now you would think since FORD is a heavier built truck than the dodge and chevy they would also realize that they need just as heavy braking system, but thay don't and they won't because thats the way it is...now you all know how I feel about the brakes on my truck.... 00 F-250 4+4 Ext. Cab Long Bed