Rear brake lock-up

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Oct 24, 2004 | 12:49 PM

Mongo321

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Rear brake lock-up

I have a '91 F150 with rear anti-lock brakes. The problem is the rear brakes lock up with just a moderate amount of pressure on the pedal which makes it fun driving on wet streets. The ABS light stays off like it's operating normally and there are no trouble codes.

Thanks

Oct 24, 2004 | 02:27 PM

MATT1971

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From: SURREY,BC,CANADA

Check your rear brakes for a axle seal or wheel cylinder leak. I know this sounds funny since you would expect the oil on the brake shoes to cause them to slip not lock but trust me.

Oct 24, 2004 | 09:54 PM

88'f150_300

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My antilock brakes lock up too but my light is on.

Oct 24, 2004 | 11:39 PM

FlaresideGlenn

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From: Brampton Canada

Every Ford truck I've ever owned with rear ABS has had the same problem - rear axle lock up. I've noticed with all my trucks it only happens after the truck has sat outside in rain or snow during a cold start situation. The rear axle will lock up the first time I apply the brakes when the vehicle is cold...then it acts normal. I've driven Ford trucks at work that did the same thing. I always figured it was a normal for this to happen.
My 1994 F150 Flareside did the same thing this morning at the end of the street, then all was normal...its just something I've learned to live with.
Glenn

Oct 25, 2004 | 07:50 AM

rlp

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From: Raleigh, NC

1989 F150 2wheel drive
I have exactly the same problem as Flareside .. the very first time I apply the brakes after cold start they lock; afterwards all is normal.

Some past discussions mentioned that this is a common problem - replacing the wheel cylinders fixes the problem according to one of those threads (sorry I don't have a reference for you).

Seems to be an annoying but not critical situation.

Oct 25, 2004 | 09:25 AM

gatesj

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From: Remsen, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by MATT1971

Check your rear brakes for a axle seal or wheel cylinder leak. I know this sounds funny since you would expect the oil on the brake shoes to cause them to slip not lock but trust me.

I can verify that. My old POS would lock one up really bad after it sat in the damp weather. The one it wanted to lock up was the one were the axle seal was bleeding all over the brakes.

Oct 25, 2004 | 09:27 AM

gatesj

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From: Remsen, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlp

I think it has nothing to do with the ABS, in fact, if the ABS light is on the system is disabled anyway. The problem is that the brake shoe material absorb water and get really grabby. The worst is when they sit for a fairly long period of time in damp weather, but use the brakes lightly a couple of times so they dry off and they are fine until they sit again.

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Oct 27, 2004 | 09:31 AM

gatesj

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From: Remsen, NY

I'd give it a shot, along with resurfacing the drums.

But know that this is a typical Ford thing for some reason.

Oct 27, 2004 | 12:03 PM

#10

DAAJR

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I had this same problem on damp mornings.
checked it out no and axle or brake leaks,
replaced the shoes and drums still same problem.

Has anyone tried experimenting with different
brake shoe linings? Can you get ceramic or
kevlar for rear shoes?

Its no big deal I just feel stupid when people
look at me for locking it up at a stop sign in a 25 mpg zone.

daajr

Oct 27, 2004 | 12:20 PM

#11

68torino

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From: South Dakota

Had similar problem with chev astro. First couple of brakes and the fronts locked up nasty. So I learned to lightly ride the brakes for half a block to warm them up and burn off the moisture.

Oct 27, 2004 | 01:39 PM

#12

rlp

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From: Raleigh, NC

I wonder if there's any worth to considering the wheel cylinders - its somewhere in the past discussions where that fixed it for one of the FTE members.

Yes daajr, it always surprises me when I roll down the hill to the stopsign after backing out my driveway and skid to a stop. I may be doing 5 mph since its only about 10 yards.

Oct 27, 2004 | 03:22 PM

#13

gatesj

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From: Remsen, NY

This is interesting, I've heard it too. What exactly is it about changing the wheel cylinders that has fixed the problem for them?

Oct 28, 2004 | 07:39 AM

#14

rlp

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From: Raleigh, NC

Don't know what it is about wheel cylinders, but I found the threads with past discussion:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ht=brakeslock+

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ht=brakeslock+

Might try contacting those FTE members directly - various opinions on quality of brake shoes/lining affecting (Ford oem, NAPA , etc..). Since it seems to be so common a problem I just live with it, but when I need my next brake job I would like to know what I can do to eliminate it.

-rlp