Why do Ford brakes suck?
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,364
Likes: 4,398
From: SW VA
Why do Ford brakes suck?
Well...they might not suck...but they are irritating to me. On all the Ferds I've driven, the pedal goes down halfway to the floor before anything happens. Does it on my '97 F150, '99 Windstar, and it did it on my '91 Aerostar. It just feels sooooo spongy. My dad and I even replaced the MC on the Aerostar several times because we thought something was wrong.
Whereas on my friends Toyota pickup ('87 & '94), Jeep ('92 & '00) Dodge ('98 Ram), and numerous other vehicles....you get pretty much all the braking power (needed for a normal stop) within the first 1/2" of pedal travel. They just feel so firm.
Why dont Ford's do this?
And another thing: On my F150 under panic stops...it brakes pretty hard for a while...but then, it kinda gives up. There is no change in the pedal feel, or the way the truck handles...but almost acts like there is suddenly grease or water that gets squirted onto the rotor's....
It's 10x worse when I get out of work at night, and the brakes are cold. Even coming to a normal stop, requires quite a bit of foot effort...and I am no small guy (6'5", 250lbs)
/Rant
Whereas on my friends Toyota pickup ('87 & '94), Jeep ('92 & '00) Dodge ('98 Ram), and numerous other vehicles....you get pretty much all the braking power (needed for a normal stop) within the first 1/2" of pedal travel. They just feel so firm.
Why dont Ford's do this?
And another thing: On my F150 under panic stops...it brakes pretty hard for a while...but then, it kinda gives up. There is no change in the pedal feel, or the way the truck handles...but almost acts like there is suddenly grease or water that gets squirted onto the rotor's....
It's 10x worse when I get out of work at night, and the brakes are cold. Even coming to a normal stop, requires quite a bit of foot effort...and I am no small guy (6'5", 250lbs)
/Rant
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
I can't say I've had any complaints about my Ford brakes. They seem to get my F250 stopped plenty quick no matter the load, and I like that there's a little bit of light braking with plenty of travel--it makes it easier to make gentle stops in my opinion.
Jason
Jason
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Moscow ID
Here's whatcha do......
Disconnect 3 of the breaks, so you have just one stopping the entire vehicle, then drive to the store and back. Reconnect and bleed the breaks and you'll stop so quick you'll think you have top-of-the-line sports car breaks. Repeat as necessary.
Disconnect 3 of the breaks, so you have just one stopping the entire vehicle, then drive to the store and back. Reconnect and bleed the breaks and you'll stop so quick you'll think you have top-of-the-line sports car breaks. Repeat as necessary.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,245
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Because Ford has been on a kick for the past 6-7 years of catering most of their products to women, who might find a firm, but responsive brake pedal, not to their liking. So instead you get an overboosted brake pedal that provides almost zero feedback to the driver. Unless you buy a Mustang or a Super Duty truck you're stuck with the overboosted brakes in most of their vehicle lines.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 112
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From: abq nm
i had an 86 ford ranger for 14 years and it had terrible brakes. i took it in for warranty work but it always came back the same so i just lived with it. on the other hand, i had a e250 van and the brakes on it were excellent. of course being a 250 series they had to be good because the potential load they might carry.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
I wouldn't say a spongy brake pedal is a bad thing - I like to be able to measure my braking input, and having to "push" for the brakes makes it easier, instead of having a "brake switch".
A Focus SVT has prehaps some of the best brakes ever... they are fantastic!!!
A Focus SVT has prehaps some of the best brakes ever... they are fantastic!!!
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 958
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Originally Posted by Bart99GT
Because Ford has been on a kick for the past 6-7 years of catering most of their products to women, who might find a firm, but responsive brake pedal, not to their liking. So instead you get an overboosted brake pedal that provides almost zero feedback to the driver. Unless you buy a Mustang or a Super Duty truck you're stuck with the overboosted brakes in most of their vehicle lines.
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