Hello, I have a 1986 Bronco II Eddie Bauer, and it is all stock. It's been snowing where I live pretty heavily, and I slide really, really bad. If I'm on packed snow, I let off the brake just for a second, and start to roll, then I apply the brake again, I slide just as far as I rolled or more! I don't know what to do. I know that there is something wrong with my brakes, because when I press my brake when coming to a stop on dry pavement, the whole Bronco seems to "bob" and the pedal bobs as well. When I'm on snow, I think the bobbing causes my brakes to lock up and I slide. Even when trying to "pump" the brakes on snow, I still slide and I can't slow down to save my life. It's really frustrating knowing that people in little tiny 2WD cars can stop easily, while in my 4WD Bronco II I slide into the person in front of me... (Actually happened, which is why I'm now addressing the problem) I added 4 bags of tube sand in the back, as far back as they will go. (Combined weight of 240 lbs.) I still slide like crazy. I don't know if I should add more, take more out, or what... My tires have less than 10k on them, and they're all weather, so I blame the brakes as of now. Any ideas what's causing this brake "bobbing" and why I slide so bad? I don't drive faster than anyone else, slower infact. Thanks alot for your help.

 

Are you describing a pedal pulsing? If so, then you definitely have either warped rotors or drums, or both. While you are in there it would be a good time to check the pads and shoes. If you have enough stock on the rotors and drums then you can have them resurfaced by a machine shop or some garages. I'm not too sure if this will solve your sliding problem but it may. Do you have an auto transmission? If so in very slippery situations shift into neutral when you are trying to stop, only do this when you are completely sure you don't need to accelerate. This will stop the engine from turning the tires giving you a little better brake control. Also make sure you are 4x4 when you are stopping, that will prevent the front tires from locking up immediately. My Bronco II slides a little on me from time to time, just have to take it slow.

Matt

 

Thanks for the reply, and yes, "pulsing" is a better word for it. It is an automatic transmission, and I actually have been told before that shifting into neutral would help some, but I don't think that makes a whole lot of difference when my brakes suck period... I'll get it checked out. If I take it really easy on the brakes I won't slide at all, but if I press just a little more they'll lock up. I wouldn't worry so much about the problem, but when I'm going the appropriate speed for the road conditions, there's times that I can't afford to start slowing 2 blocks before I need to stop. Thanks for your help

 

Wel, I owned a 86 B2 and drove it everywhere in the snow and ice (including through icy marshes for firewood) and had no traction or stopping problems.

First off, lose the sand. It will kill you in an accident and not really needed. The B2 is fairly well balanced front to rear and it is really not needed. I have driven many times off road in 2x4 through snow.

> the whole Bronco seems to "bob"

Classic sign of worn TTB radius arm bushings. In hard braking they will cause brake lock if worn as the suspension ditches forward and up.

Is your RABS hooked up and working?

Don't shift into N, the most likely benefit from that is you will nuke your tranny by accident.

From your description, your tires might be part of the problem. What brand, line, and size are they? Are you running them at 32 psi all the time or airing them down to 20 psi for snow driving?

 

If needed have your front rotors replace if the pedal pulses, or have em turned if they are in good enough shape to do so. Check the price on new ones first, now days you can buy new ones for little more than the cost to have the old ones turned.

Also if you need to hit neutral to stop your back brakes aren't doing anything, either the self adjusters are rusted up and won't turn or the little gable for em broke.
Cheap repair to do by replacing and or freeing up any bad hardware.
Or just adjust the shoes up by hand until they lightly drag on the drum now and then.

 

If you are in 2wd the front brakes will almost lock instantly in the snow on most BIIs and Rangers with moderate brake pressure. I own one of each so I know. This isn't as much of an issue in 4x4, with the system engaged it will help keep the front wheels turning and if you lock all 4 wheels are locked, even with RABS. Shifting into neutral helps prevent the locking of the front tires, really only applies in 2wd but it will help you in very slippery situations. It won't harm the transmission as long as your shifter is adjusted correctly and the reverse lockout functions. Then it is impossible to shift beyond nertral into reverse unless you press the lockout button. Just start trouble shooting by inspecting everything and replacing worn parts.

Matt