Guidance would be appreciated to correct a problem where the brakes go terribly weak for the last 5-10 feet of a rolling stop. Everything is normal except at the end jsut as you approach a complete stop. There is a rumble feel in the pedal, it gets mush, and the braking action is significantly less. I replaced pads and rotors hoping it would correct the problem but it did not. Brake fluid level is fine. Do the brakes need bleeding or is there air in the brake lines? Could there be a problem in the master cylinder? This is a 99 Ranger, 4WD with off-road, 5sp manual and 3.0L

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

 

I sure could use some help on this problem. Appreciate any replys. Thanks.

 

Did you try seating the pads at around 50 mph? Not supposed to need it with new rotors, though. You ride the brakes toeing the line with lock-up. Tricky to learn and perhaps embarassing. Don't do this in TRAFFIC! It should smoke a bit. Shouldn't need to do it as much as turned rotors at least! O yeah clean the rotors with brake clean out of the box, too. Coated with anti-rust. Otherwise sounds like abs foul-up.

 

If you have a low brake pedal I'd suspect air, but if the pedal is nice and high, it just takes a lot of effort to make the final stop, I'd suspect either too rough a finish on the rotors, or a poor performing (or leaking vacuum) brake booster.

Now you mention this rumble feeling, I'm thinking your ABS may be coming on, possibly a drop out on one of the front speed sensors at lower speeds, making the computer think that wheel is locking up (if it has all wheel ABS).. OR a REAR brake problem which is causing the rear wheels to lock up, hence engaging the ABS...

And yes the pedal will drop a bit when the ABS engages.

I'd be looking for someone who has a scanner which can monitor the wheel speeds... then reproduce the problem and look for a wheel sensor reading that drops to 0MPH.

Good luck!

 

Brakes feel great with new pads and rotors. Nice and smooth, pedal is high, stroke is short, and really no abnormal effort needed on the pedal to achieve the braking....operation seems normal. The problem is right as you come to a stop, even a slow rolling stop. Now, based on your comments, it does feel like the ABS "pulsing" and the pedal does drop a little when it occurs.

I am not familiar with a sensor to measure wheel speed but will pursue getting this tested.

Is there a way to disable the ABS in an attempt to confirm it is the source of the problem? Maybe removing a fuse? I replaced the front brakes and sometimes the ebrake sticks so maybe I should inspect the rear brakes too.

Thanks for the help.

 

Try unplugging the rear speed sensor in the rear differential.. your abs light will come on but it should disable the system. Another option is to pull the ABS fuse.

Rear wheel ABS activates a little different from Four wheel. Rear tends to kind of "pulsate" the pedal.. like "thump, thump, thump" whereas Four wheel tends to "vibrate" much faster.

This feeling.. is it only in the brake pedal? or do you feel it in the steering wheel as well? If it's only in the pedal, then it's likely in the rear.

Take a look at the rears.. let us know what you find.

 

The feeling is only in the brake pedal and not in the front end or the steering. And it is more a thump, thump and not a quick rapid session vibrate.

I was at the NAPA store and reviewed the problem with the counter tech. He explained that the rear wheels have a speed sensor that can be replaced for about $10. However if the problem is in the front youhave to replace the whole hub assembly which is about $250. Maybe for $10 I buy the rear sensor and switch between the two rear wheels to see if the problem corrects.

To be honest, I am not real sure whether I have 4 wheel ABS or RABS.

 

It's pretty simple to tell.. just look for an electrical wire going to the front hubs. Most '99 models came with only Rear ABS.. but there are some exceptions.

 

I think that 4x4 Rangers came with 4-wheel ABS, and 4x2 with rear-wheel in '99, but I'm not certain.

 

Hello,

Whether it is 2-wheel ABS, or 4-wheel ABS, depends mostly on the trim of the model. i.e. SE, LE, SE+, XLT, XL, etc. There is a lot of info concerning issues with the B-Series/Ranger ABS brakes. I have the low speed on (even on dry surface) issue. I just had the front rotors and the right hand bearings replaced and now the issue shows up. Strongly suspect they were not working at all before this. Here is kind of a summary I got out of it all:

- You should be able to replace the front sensors only, not the entire hub.
- You can disable the system by removing the fuses. And I have not looked yet, but it sounds like there is separate fuses for front and rear.
- There is a wire and tubing going to the fronts that are pretty easy to see.

R.