My brakes are soggy, Its hard to explain. When I have to stop suddenly I push the pedal fast or hard, but the brakes do not release right away it locks up when I have come to a complete stop. Sometimes I have to back up to loosen them and even then they remain tight for a mile or two.

When slowing regular I have to press evenly and not go to deep w/ the pedal to keep it from not locking at the complete stop.

Any ideas what this might be or what might fix it. Thanks

 

Does it pull to the left or right when you have this problem? If so, then the problem (flex line or caliper) is probably in the front. If it doesn't pull, then it's probably the rear drum brakes. What you are describing sounds like the rear brakes.

 

Almost sounds like you have leaky rear axel seals. The grease contaminates the brake shoes causing the brakes to lock up.

 

If only the rear brakes are locking up, I would take a hard look at the RABS valve located on the inboard side of the left frame rail, just under the drivers feet. When I bought my 92, I had problems with my rear brakes due to contaminated brake fluid and the valve had rusted, not allowing any braking pressure to the rear brakes. Even though my valve had failed, there was still no ABS fault light on my dash. If you have a failing RABS valve, you may be getting a hydraulic lock-up on the downstream side of the valve. The valve is expensive, but you can bypass it for troubleshooting.

But definitely look at the shoes/pads for oil contamination as already suggested...

 

Did 91's have ABS at all? I thought rears were new for 92 and 4 w ABS for 93/94....

 

You're probably right, my only experience is with my 92. I assumed all 1st generation explorers were almost identical.

 

I just sold my 91 it had rear abs yup. i went through my front and back brakes a few times over the 3 years I owned it. Peddle did seem sloppier then other vehicles I drove and it too had issues with braking on emergancy situations. I was allways meaning to change out my master cylinder but never did. Most likely the problem but anything is possible. I allways had fluid pressure so teh junction box on teh frame rail never was an issue in my oppinion

 

I should have gave more info. It is the front brakes that are locking up, and when the problem first started I put new brake calipers on the front think that would fix it but it didn't. I was thinking myself the master cylinder or maybe a vacuum leak somewhere but I have not found anything that looks wrong..

 

bleed the crap out of all 4 wheels maybe an air bubble or 2 left over from the caliper change. That is one thing I never got around to on mine was a real good bleeding so there is absolutely no air in the lines.