I have a 97 F150 2WD. I performed a front brake job and noticed the right caliper was sticky. Thought it was a bad caliper and replaced both. Put it all back together and it is still sticking. You apply the brakes and it hesitates to release. Check the standard, twisted brake line, sticking slide, etc.. and all are working fine. It is only the right side so I am thinking maybe a bad proportioning valve. Any other recommendations.

 

The rubber brake line has become restricted due to corrosion on the inner surface of the mounting clamp (causes inward expansion of the clamp surface) and is now behaving as a check valve. Hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder can be forced through the narrowed opening, but the backflow that should occur normally when the pedal is released is unable to take place.

Additional symptoms may include a pull to the LEFT on sharp braking, a hot or smoking rotor after driving, or minimal flow from the hose when disconnected fromn the caliper and allowed to gravity bleed.

Replace the rubber brake line.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve. I was thinking about the brake line but have always had them look like they were junk when I had problems with them. Makes perfect sense.

 

Might be worth looking into some steel braided lines. We have a hot rod shop close by and they sell them fairly inexpensively. In my experience the feel of your brakes increases dramatically with steel braided lines as they don't expand as much under pressure.

 

Steve,

Thanks fro teh advice. You were 100% correct. It was kind of funny. I working with my father-in-law to show him how to change the pads and brake line and told him to watch out when he pulls the hose off the calipor it was going to make a mess. Well he pulls the line and not a single drop of brake fluid came out. That is when I knew you had hit the nail on the head. Thanks again for the good advice.