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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

whats the problem here?

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Old Dec 13, 2007 | 10:55 PM
  #1  
Truckin4life's Avatar
Truckin4life
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From: Lubbock, Texas
whats the problem here?

alirght i have a 1995 250, 351w with a 5 speed manual 4x4. Now the problem is that when im starting off, the truck feels like something is holding it back, like im trying to drive with the parking brake engaged, but the brake is disengaged. Im sure of it, if i engage it its even worse taking off. How would i be able to tell if my breaks are dragging, and would it be that bad? Sometimes if i dont gas it enough my truck struggles for a second, and thats in granny low. If its not dragging breaks what could it be? There is something deffinetly holding me back. Thats all i know.

Thanks,
Don
 
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Old Dec 13, 2007 | 11:11 PM
  #2  
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dixokai
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Jack it up and see if you can spin the tires by hand.
 
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Old Dec 13, 2007 | 11:22 PM
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17fordguy
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could possible be a cloged cat. when mine went bad it felt like i was towin a trailer a just wouldnt go any were. does the truck slow down dramaticaly if you let off the gas and dont press the break.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 12:44 AM
  #4  
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phoneman91
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After driving the truck--check the rear drums with your hand and see if they are very hot. And check the front hubs and see if they are very hot. They should be warm --but not extremely hot--unless you braked very hard before checking. If one hub or drum is more hot than the others--that wheel location has dragging brakes or wheel bearing problems.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 05:38 AM
  #5  
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fmr9
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The clutch fan can cause the symptoms you are describing, if it fails and runs all the time. I know it is hard to believe, but several people have reported it was like dragging a boat anchor.
Good luck
Frank.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 10:03 AM
  #6  
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Idaho Charley
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Cold weather and a little moisture sometimes freezes/frosts the caliper slider area up. The front calipers may not be retracting freely due to a combination of rust and frost IMHO.

I have to physically remove the front calipers every couple of years and clean-up the area where the 'rubber/metal wedge' piece in order to prevent the same thing from happening. Once the wheel is off its is a 5 minute job to drive out the wedge, clean-up the area with a wire brush and then I very lightly lube the wedge with brake caliper grease.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 12:46 PM
  #7  
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Truckin4life
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The fan clutch sounds like a place to start, i no longer have a cat on my truck, dual glass packs. I will check the breaks dragging, when ever i take off in 1st and the i push in the clutch to shift i come to almsot a complete stop. But after i drive it for 100 yards or so, then it wont do that, unless i stop for a minute again. Its odd, could the breaks be sticking shut, stopping me, then once they get a little bit warmed up the loosen up and stop dragging, i dont really know whats going on but its frustrating me, i hate not knowing whats wrong with my truck.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 07:44 PM
  #8  
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fmr9
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But after i drive it for 100 yards or so, then it wont do that, unless i stop for a minute again.

This really sounds like your brakes are dragging. Don't think the clutch fan would come and go like that.
Frank
 
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Old Dec 16, 2007 | 11:21 PM
  #9  
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Truckin4life
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alright well ill check it, ive had a hectic weekend, maybe ill get a chance tomrorow during lunch or something. Thanks for all the input guys, ill let you know what i find out.

Later,
Don
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 04:02 PM
  #10  
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n8pete
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i have that same exact thing going on. it stutters when it accelerates from low gears and feels like im dragging my trailer. i havent checked the hubs or whatever to see if its hot. i also havent checked the clutch fan, mainly cuz i dont know what the hell it is haha. the repair guy at tunex told me it was my spark plugs, fuel filter and fuel pump so i replaced the fuel filter and plugs and it was good for a couple days and started doing that again. first problem ive ever had. which sucks cuz im trying to sell it.
 
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