Front Brake Problem
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Never knew how bad the brakes were on my '85 till I had a good brake shop redo the calipers with steel vs. stock plastic pistons, fix a few other probs up front, and like it says earlier, fix the rear wheel cylinders. Almost acceptable. But yes, watch the full load panic stops. Turns the rotors into potato chip looking things.
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
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Originally Posted by grmjr
You were right! It appears as though it was the brake line that was causing the brakes to drag on one side. Thanks again for your input.
GM
GM
thx!
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: South East Texas
Well, if you have simular symtoms to grmjr's original post and my post, it may possibly be the brake line.
From what I understand, the inside wall of the flexible hose can collapse and restrict the fluid from backing up to release pressure on the caliper. When braking, there's a lot of pressure forcing fluid through the line to the caliper, but very little on release. This is what I was told some time back. Besides, it's cheaper to replace the brake line on the offending wheel to see if that's your problem before going on to the bigger and more expensive parts.
From what I understand, the inside wall of the flexible hose can collapse and restrict the fluid from backing up to release pressure on the caliper. When braking, there's a lot of pressure forcing fluid through the line to the caliper, but very little on release. This is what I was told some time back. Besides, it's cheaper to replace the brake line on the offending wheel to see if that's your problem before going on to the bigger and more expensive parts.
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Assuming that there is no external evidence of the collapse, therin lies the problem, I am still under warrentee and have not convinced the dealer that there is a problem so it would be on my dime. But even if I have to pay for it, your right, it could solve the problem and I would be the better for it!
THx for the info!
THx for the info!
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From: Metamora
This thread sounds familiar, I think that equium and I went through this thread a few months ago.
It is good to hear that you found the root cause of the problem. However, I would suggest some preventative work to eliminate the chance of having the same problem that I did when you replace the brakes. Use quality parts (rotors and pads) don't buy anything made in China. I went with Bendix, made in Canada. Verify operation of the rear brakes. If they aren't working, you are asking your front brakes to do alot of work.
I was warping rotors pretty quickly with some low cost Chinese parts that my parts store sold me...
It is good to hear that you found the root cause of the problem. However, I would suggest some preventative work to eliminate the chance of having the same problem that I did when you replace the brakes. Use quality parts (rotors and pads) don't buy anything made in China. I went with Bendix, made in Canada. Verify operation of the rear brakes. If they aren't working, you are asking your front brakes to do alot of work.
I was warping rotors pretty quickly with some low cost Chinese parts that my parts store sold me...
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From: South East Texas
Keep in mind, that depending on what kind of warranty you have and what it covers, repairing or replacing something yourself or having someplace that is not an authorized warranty repair shop do it, will most likely void the whole warranty. If this shop or dealer you took it to that told you nothing was wrong, is willing to replace whatever it is you want them to replace out of the warranty for cash, whether they think it's good or not, better let you know ahead of time whether it will affect your warranty as a whole or not.
Also, if you pay to have something replaced, ask for the old part back. Should that replaced part solve your problem, you need to ask for a reimbursement using the old part as evidence. Good luck.
Also, if you pay to have something replaced, ask for the old part back. Should that replaced part solve your problem, you need to ask for a reimbursement using the old part as evidence. Good luck.
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From: eastern Ma
Rear Brakes
Hello,
I feel your pain. These E150's are under sized for brakes. Not just my opinion, I've heard it before from brake techs. I don't think the self adjusters in the rear work well enough either. I crawl under there every so often with a brake spoon, and snug them up a little tighter. I've been surprised by how many clicks it will take to snug them up. I had an 85 that still had most of the meat on the rears at 100,000 miles. In the same time I changed out the fronts about 5 times.
Even changed the rear wheel cylinders to no avail. The only problem is that I like every thing else on the van, so I put up with it. I hope someone will come out with a good aftermarket set-up.
On your front caliber hanging up, I would get a new or rebuilt cal, and hose too.
If you want to try something first that's cheaper..flush you brake fluid, or have it done. Brake fluid has a problem with osmosis, which means it soaks in water with time. It's becoming an accepted item on preventive maintenance. The water really affects the way the brakes work, not to mention all those expensive abs parts that corrode with old brake fluid.
Good luck
I feel your pain. These E150's are under sized for brakes. Not just my opinion, I've heard it before from brake techs. I don't think the self adjusters in the rear work well enough either. I crawl under there every so often with a brake spoon, and snug them up a little tighter. I've been surprised by how many clicks it will take to snug them up. I had an 85 that still had most of the meat on the rears at 100,000 miles. In the same time I changed out the fronts about 5 times.
Even changed the rear wheel cylinders to no avail. The only problem is that I like every thing else on the van, so I put up with it. I hope someone will come out with a good aftermarket set-up.
On your front caliber hanging up, I would get a new or rebuilt cal, and hose too.
If you want to try something first that's cheaper..flush you brake fluid, or have it done. Brake fluid has a problem with osmosis, which means it soaks in water with time. It's becoming an accepted item on preventive maintenance. The water really affects the way the brakes work, not to mention all those expensive abs parts that corrode with old brake fluid.
Good luck
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