I just replaced the pads,rotors and calipers on my 98 F150 4x4 and now I cant get the front brakes to work at all. I have checked the fittings,bled the air out ect. I can pump them a dozen times and get them to grab a little, but as soon as I roll ahead the pedal goes away again.
The brakes worked this morning, so I am having trouble believing the master cylinder is bad. Any ideas?

 

You replaced the calibers also?? Why? I think you have a air bubble in the system someplace. Get a quart of brake fluid and keep topping off the master. It may take the whole thing before the bubble goes. I have encountered this several times on other makes.

 

How did you bleed the brakes?

 

If you didn't get them bled yet, and that IS your problem, start with bleeding the master cylinder. Do this the same as bleeding the brakes, but you crack the outlet lines (one at a time).

Then bleed the brakes, RF first (longest line from MS to brake. Start bt gravity bleeding. Open the bleeder & MS cap and just wait until fluid starts coming out the bleeder. Then close the bleeder & do a pressure bleed. Repeat for the LF and you should be in business.

Tom

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Jan-03 AT 04:29 PM (EST)]To confirm what those above have said...you gotta' bleed the system. It can take a lot more (time, fluid, attention, etc.)than you might expect to get it done completely. You have to get ALL the air out. And, assuming you replaced the calipers, it sure sounds like air in your lines.
Brian A

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 03-Jan-03 AT 00:08 AM (EST)] It feels like air. but its not I have bled this thing completly. I replaced my bearing/hub assy's too and wonder if there is something with the antilock that needs reset or something. I have unhooked the battery to let the computer reset (tryin everything ) I pulled the antilock fuse to disable that system....thats not it either. I can pump the pedal up hard, and then start the truck while holding the pressure on the pedal and it goes right down to the floor. The rear brakes are working.

I was certified in brake repair (18 years ago)
so I know how to bleed brakes (thanks for tellin me though) I am just confounded with this.. Is there any electronic bypass valve or something associated with the antilock? I am gettin a manual tomorrow.

Funny how a siple pad change turns in to so much more. One caliper didnt want to return all the way so I bought 2 new ones, The rotors had grown on to the hubs so I had to pull them to press the rotors off. Then I heard a little noise in one bearing so I thought I may as well do them both (100,000 miles) By the way The hub and bearing assy's are 240.00 EACH (ouch) Any advice is appreciated thanks

Tom

 

I have the 1999 Expedition service manuals, and recall that the bleed procedure involved using a STAR tester to manipulate some element of the ABS system.

 

Tom,
Please let us know what you find to be the problem.
Thanks,
Brian A

 

Hey Tom, with the key off. I would have someone pump the brakes up for me. Open the rear wheel bleeder and notice the fluid pressure, flow. Pump the brakes up then check the pressure, or flow on the front brakes. Is it the same? If not, try this. with the key off, go to the front or rear with the strongest pressure or flow, and open the bleeder screw. Have someone push the pedel to the floor and hold it. tighten the bleeder screw. repete about three times or four.
with all bleeder screws tight slowly pump the brakes up. Check the front or rear that had the weekest pressure or lowest flow. Did this help.? if so try bleeding a little at a time from the rear, then the front A LITTLE AT A TIME. A mighty vac from a parts store is a big help when doing this kind of work, it pulls the air from the line and the caliper. Hope this helps. Good luck

Dave Powell

 

Well, I need a darwin award I think..... I got the brakes working.

The cause is now going to become a contest. The first person to correctly guess what stupid mistake I made during reassembly Is going to recieve a 1/32 scale diecast model of a F150 flareside supercab pickup.


I assume this will not take long to figure out. Read the earlier post explaining everything I replaced and figure out what I could have done wrong. What was stopping me from bleeding it properly?



I can be so stupid sometimes

 

You put the left caliper on the right and the right on the left.

 

We have a winner !! 18 minuites I knew it wouldnt take long.

I guess its a good thing I dont do work for people anymore



I have done probably 500 brake jobs and never screwed one up, Why this one stumped me I dont know. Well that will NEVER happen to me again lol.

Congrats aldridgec send me a private message with your address and I will get this truck right out to ya.


Sometimes I wonder how I made it this far

 

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-12-03 AT 11:27 AM (EST)]Ain't it cute!

Thanks!

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=12602&.jpg