Ok, got a couple of new questions. First of all, my truck has 4-wheel ABS. Last couple of days (usually in the first 5-10 minutes of driving) my brakes have been really touchy. The rear brakes will lockup on dry pavement for 1-2 seconds at a time. After a little driving, they seem to smooth out. When I use the brakes on ice, I hear a grinding/ratcheting type noise, and it sometimes feels like the left and right front tires take turns slipping... There is a really strange feel in the pedal too when this happens, not just pulsing, but feels almost like grinding (hard to describe). It is also noticeable on gravel, but a little harder to hear and feel. No ABS lights on or anything. Went to a tire store and they sprayed brake cleaner in the rears, but didn't seem to do much. I took it to the dealership (of course the brakes worked perfectly even on wet pavement) and they said that if the ABS was not working right, the light would be on. Well, yeah it SHOULD... Anyway, they said the front pads are at 4mm and the rears need cleaned and deglazed and that's why they locked up. They also said the ratcheting noise is normal, I thought they drove it, but now I'm not so sure. I call BS on what most of they told me, what do you guys think?

Brian J Wilson
1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0L SuperCab

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Dec-02 AT 03:16 AM (EST)]

I'm betting it happens after vehicle sits over-night (cold) and/or after rain (damp/humid air)(?)
Seems to be a common problem (emphasis on "problem"), with Ranger's at least, especially at your mileage.
"Sounds" to me like the rear need some work (shoes, and drums turned/resurfaced, maybe wheel-cylinders?), but the front sounds more like an auto-hub prob - I'm also betting you only occassionally use 4WD (?)

And "yeah", I know what you mean - the light "SHOULD" come on - certainly doesn't mean it WILL though!

I'd try the question(s) in another forum ("Suspension/Tires/Wheels" and/or "4X4/Off-Road") SOON - and then find a good mechanic.

Must say though I'm suprised neither "shop" tried to sell you some type of "service".

Best of luck -

Glenn . . .

 

It's worse when the truck sits overnight. However, I live two blocks from the beach, so it is always humid and damp. We've also been getting 1 and sometimes 2"+ of rain per day, which is fairly common here. The dealership and the tire store both said it was common for the rears to lockup on Rangers. Still, it gets really bad on occasion, and hasn't started (for me) until the last couple days. I don't use 4x4 a lot, but I try to use it atleast between every oil change (3k). I did buy it with 50k on it though, but 4x4 seems to work fine. I usually just for a short period in the sand, or to pull someone out of a ditch (more than you might think)
The front slipping wasn't too bad. I'm mostly concerned about the noises I guess. We'll see what it does in packed snow and ice this weekend. I'll try to take it to my old mechanic where I'm going, if he's open, and try to get it to the dealership there (much better service dep.) And they did try to sell me service. Clean and deglaze rears, and new pads/resurface rotors in the front. I'm waiting it out until after the weekend to make sure there are no others problems. Anyone else's truck make ratcheting noise when the tires start to slip? (damn ABS)

Brian J Wilson
1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0L 5spd SuperCab

 

I have a brand new 2002 ranger about 5k miles on it now. After sitting overnight in a downpour or about 2 days of mist and rain the back brakes will lock up and leave rubber on normal stops. If i slam on the brakes(not super hard) it goes away after 2-3 stops. If i dont it takes about 10 min of driving for it to go away. I'm pretty pissed my new truck does this. My 94 thunderbird with the back drums did this when the back brakes were worn out,(but not after being fixed).

Rand