i went to stop tonight and i heard a huge thump i think from the front end. my brake peddle went from soft to hard soft to hard. i immediately put it in neutral and coasted to a stop. after checking underneath for any problems i drove home with no incidences. but my brake peddle was soft....any idea's?

 

If it wasn't your ABS activating, I'd have a careful look starting with the rotors/drums, pads/shoes, calipers... Nice little weekend project, huh?

You mentioned you have a '97 F150, is it a 2 or 4wd, does it have ABS or RABS (Rear ABS)? Sometimes listing some specifics about your truck may help in finding a problem. From my experience, (Having a wife and mother who notice nothing until disaster) it could be a brake pad or shoe coming unglued and getting jammed up in the caliper and rotor or drum. Or, I could be way off and it could be the flux capacitor rattling loose and leaking. I hope it's a simple fix for you, let us know what you find!!! Rob

 

I had my caliper bracket come loose from the spindle. It started with a loud bumping noise & then the bolts fell out & it was held on by the wheel. Check the 2 bolts that attach your caliper bracket to the spindle. They require locktite on them. I believe a mechanic didn't use it on mine when he worked on my truck. I can't prove it & he swears he didn't do anything wrong but it happened right after he worked on it.BTW I don't use him anymore.