Breaks Grab when wet
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 92
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I had the same problem in my 92 when I bought it. It was a year old when I bought it and the front left would lock up when going slow and just apply the brakes lightly. I took the truck back to the dealer and had them look at it. When I came back to get the truck the service report said no anti-lock brakes on the front. No kidding!! It's a 92 with rear wheel anti-locks but the front should not lock up like that anyways. The service manager and I went for a few screaming matches (right in the middle of the service department) because they wanted to charge me $30 to tell me that! But in the end you lose because they have your truck and you have to pay them to get it out. I figured it was the pads before I took it in but all I really wanted was the dealer to tell me the ford pads do that, but they wouldn't say anything. I replaced the pads with a quality pad from the auto parts store and the problem went away.Sorry for complaining so much but when I read your post it brought back those bad memories. Thanks and Good Luck
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: Central NY
Its fairly common, but if its the rear locking up make sure the axle seal isn't leaking because oil on the pads will cause them to lock up when wet (dew) too. I found that I could scare the crap outta people with my old S15 when the seal started to go. :>
Popa Tim
Popa Tim
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 334
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From: Brampton Canada
Every Ford truck I've ever owned (with rear ABS) had the same problem. After applying the brakes a few times, it always stopped. I've always figured "thats the way it is" with Ford trucks. I wouldn't worry about it.
Glenn
Glenn
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,008
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From: Annapolis,MD.
It is quite common,GM trucks seem to be the worst for doing it.A majority of the time I see this happen it's related to a little extra brake dust accumulated in the drums.Once it gets damp out,the dust will "cake-up" around the shoes.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 47
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Thanks for the reassurances. I just had the pads checked and my mechanic said they are good for a while, so I'll just put a better set on when the time comes.
Ed
Ed
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 475
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From: Portsmouth,VA
Just visting from the 1997-2003 forum.
There has been quite abit of chatter on this subject. My 97 does this to knid of scary, but they say that new verison of brakes are available from ford that will not lock up like this.
There has been quite abit of chatter on this subject. My 97 does this to knid of scary, but they say that new verison of brakes are available from ford that will not lock up like this.
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New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6
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Get used to it. It is simple physics. As long as water is able to coat the rotors or drums, you will have this problem. Some auto manufacturers overcome this by installing those metal "splash" guards around the wheel spindle. It doesn't do you any good when driving through deep puddles, and that in turn creates another problem. Once your brakes heat up and dry off, you regain normal braking behavior.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 550
Likes: 1
From: Effingham,IL USA
i would NEVER "get used to it" if my truck did that, which it never has. grabbing brakes are NOT normal. i would clean the shoes and everything real good with brake clean and see if that fixes it. if not brake job.i would absolutly not put up with stupid problems like wheels locking up when they shouldnt. not only is it annoying and embarasing but dangerous.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant Hill, MO
well, they don't lock up, but when you're pullin down the road doin 25 out of your neighborhood, you just stop a lot faster... 
I have the dissenting opinion saying it really is normal, and after you stop at 2 stop signs, you're totally normal for braking. It really is okay. This is definately not a problem to take to the mechanic and troubleshoot.
Ryan
I have the dissenting opinion saying it really is normal, and after you stop at 2 stop signs, you're totally normal for braking. It really is okay. This is definately not a problem to take to the mechanic and troubleshoot.Ryan
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 550
Likes: 1
From: Effingham,IL USA
ninety nine percent chance a simple brake job will fix the problem.i drive cars at work that lock up wheels like that all the time. they just need dust cleaned out of the drums or new linings/drums-rotors turned. i say there is a need to fix it. thats the problem with vehicles today they just get ran into the ground with no maintenance and nothing fixed until its too late and the thing wont go no more. a simple brake inspection can be had probably for free when you have the truck in for an oil change/tire rotation. give em a couple bucks and they will prolly clean the shoes for ya.that might be all you need.plus its cheaper knowing how much lining you have left on your shoes before you grind em into the drum.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 550
Likes: 1
From: Effingham,IL USA
oh ya i have a 83 f100 and have absolutley no problems with cold grab/lockup. my brothers 93 f150 was lockin up the rears only when cold-he did a brake job and problem went completly away.its not "normal" for brakes to grab cold- thats a problem.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,759
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From: Pleasant Hill, MO
well, it is normal, but not to 'factory specs'... if you will
It's usually the front brakes that do this. they're the disc brakes. It's not a problem, and if you take the wheel off on your own, you can clean the disk/caliper/pad on your own. This isn't exactly a typical maintenace thing. It's not causing the truck damage, and goes away after 2 stop signs.
Ryan
It's usually the front brakes that do this. they're the disc brakes. It's not a problem, and if you take the wheel off on your own, you can clean the disk/caliper/pad on your own. This isn't exactly a typical maintenace thing. It's not causing the truck damage, and goes away after 2 stop signs.
Ryan
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23
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From: CT
Re: Rear brakes grab in rain
I had this problem with my 1995 E250 van (same brake components)? It got worse, to the point where I almost had an accident. Very scary. If there was any rain on the road, rear wheels would lock, and we would go sledding. Then it started doing it on dry pavement. It turned out to be the rear anti-lock valve (proportioning valve?) that was faulty. I replaced it, and man, what a difference. I can stand on the brakes, and what used to result in a skid now doesn't. It even feels like ABS... sort of. It greatly improved safety in my opinion. The 'RABS" valve was relatively easy to replace (like doing a master cylinder) but the thing was expensive, and nobody had it local (dealer item) and I had to drive a long way to get it. They also whacked me with a $150 core charge!?!?!. It was well worth it though. Hk