Brake trouble
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 2
From: Northern Maine
Brake trouble
I have a 98 2WD Ranger, 3.0 5 speed with 161,500 miles. I was on a very slight up hill grade, approaching a stop sign, traveling maybe about 5 to 10 MPH. I was gradually braking to a stop when I felt “something” give in the rear end. My truck gained a little speed, even though I was going up hill with my foot on the brake. The brake peddle became quite spongy but I still had brakes. (they worked but not good) The warning light in the dash did not come on. I stopped and checked the fluid and found it full. I looked around the rear drums and front calipers and found no leaks. I tried the park brake and found that it went all the way to the floor and just barely held the truck. (It used to go about half way down and snub it up solid). Anyway I limped my Ranger home (about 10 miles). I jacked it up and removed the tires and rear drums. (One was a real bugger but I got it off) I found that the small cable that operates the self adjusters had broke, which caused one of the small springs to unhook. I found all of the broken parts still inside the brake drum. Being late on a Saturday afternoon, my Ranger is out of commission until my favorite parts store (Car Quest) is open on Monday. I did a complete four wheel brake job 29,000 miles ago. The shoes are worn enough so that I will be replacing them too. I have been driving Fords since 1973 and have never had that happen to me before. Just thought I would pass this on to everyone. The good news is that this happened on this week end instead of next, when I will be on vacation 250 miles away from home.
