Well for a while now I have put up with mediocore brakes. No more, after just about slamming into another car and couldn't even lock the front wheels up on rain-slicked asphalt from 60-0, I need better brakes. The rears seam to work just fine. I can lock them up in reverse. (antilocks don't work in reverse)

But I need you guy's help on this one. The haynes manual says that there were three types of calipers on the 80-96 f150-350.

Early models had the key retainer type, thats not mine, I have a '88. But then there is a "rail-slider" type and a "pin slider" type.

Which one do I have?

Also, I have very mushy pedal. I have not checked the pads yet, but I am going to replace them anyway. I thought it was the power brake booster because I could push the pedal 3/4 of the way to the floor before I felt like I was actually stopping, but that failed to help.

The Rotors look fine, shiny metal, smooth, no grinding marks, and no noises from them at all. No leaks, and I just rebled them about 4 months ago, front and rear.

Does this sound more like master cylinder or just pads?

Or is there only one way to find out? change the pads first? If there is a proportioning valve, it has not been changed since I have had it.

Any Ideas before I go blow money on parts i don't need?

thanks in advance.

 

bump

 

what kind of truk do you have? 4x4?

 

Yes , 4x4 88 f150 SC 4x4.. How silly of me not to include that.

 

adjust your rear brakes,bob

 

Also, check for air in your lines.

-Matt

 

yea the mushy pedal sounds like you need to bleed the brakes. A TINY bit of air in the line will make you hardly be able to stop. Give them the bleed and see if they get better!