Okay, I have a '94 EB, 5.8W, E40D, manual hubs. I have just recently replaced all the front suspension bushings, passenger side ball joint, had the camber adjusted, and replaced both calipers and brake pads. I had the rotors turned as well, and replaced the wheel bearings and seals. I have also installed a set of Edelbrock Performer shocks and new tires. The back brakes are about a year and a half old, and this spring I flushed the brake system and bled the brakes again when I did the front set.

When I hit the brakes firmly or hard, my Bronco seems to pull to one side or the other. It sometimes pulls to the right (more often), sometimes to the left, and sometimes doesn't pull at all. I have no ABS indicator lights, although it has a tough time unlocking the front wheels when I am on ice.

Anyone had this trouble or have any other ideas of what may be causing this?

Thanks for any help,
Aaron D.

 

 

Just a couple thoughts here. You said your rear brakes are about one and half years old. If you haven't done so already pull your rear drums and see what kind of shape your wheel cylinders are in. If they are leaking or weak it will cause one side to brake harder than the other causing your truck to pull to one side. I looked up something else in my factory manual. They suggest it may be rear abs (RABS) acting abnormally. To isolate the problem from brakes or RABS they suggest disconnecting the fluid level sensor which will disable the RABS. Drive your truck at about 50mph and apply the brakes. If the symptom is gone it is in the RABS...If it still exists you know the problem is mechanical or hydraulic. Hope this helps.

 

As far as the front wheels locking up on ice, I have always found this to be a problem with RABS. It doesn't make any sense to me to have an ABS system on the rear wheels only. It is the front wheels locking up which cause you to lose control. I would rather have all four wheels lock up than just the fronts. I had a 1995 F150 with RABS, that caused me to get into an accident because the front wheels locked in the rain while the back kept turning. Ford checked it out and said it was working properly. I had no doubt that it was, my argument was with the system itself. I disconnected the connection to my RABS at the differential on my Bronco. I believe this will disable the RABS, but if I am wrong somebody please correct me so I can disable it. Ford's RABS is the worst. Nothing but problems. I drive a 1993 Chevy van for work, RABS works fine. It makes a sound when it operates, but there have never been any ABS lights and it always works (lots of ice here). The front brakes have never locked up like a Ford's will. And this van has been used and abused and not maintained. Don't get me wrong, Fords are great, but as for the RABS they are the worst.

 

Okay, I pulled the 4WABS codes this weekend, and everything was okay as far as the computer is concerned. I then checked the rear wheels, and found nothing. I loosened the adjusters on the rear wheels, and then backed up my Bronco a couple of times, hitting the brakes to let the auto adjusters settle. This morning, everything seems okay. I also think I have some slop in the steering gearbox. I plan on trying to tighten this up soon.

As for the front wheels locking up, they shouldn't because I don't have RABS, but 4WABS. Here is another question, does the ABS system work when in 4-wheel drive? That may be the problem, as I was in 4-wheel when I was experiencing the failures. The ABS worked fine this morning.

Aaron D.
'94 EB Bronco, 5.8 litre:7

 

If you have 4WABS (standard on 93 and newer models), it is active both in 4x4 and in 4x2. The 4WABS can be rather complex to trouble shoot without the proper equipment to test with. If it is of big concern take it to a mechanic who is familiar with 4WABS and have them take look at it. Good Luck!!