Rep 2U.
Improve your brake feel.
Thread Starter
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Improve your brake feel.
I've not been real happy with the brake feel. It's a bit spongy or rather, take a bit more pedal to initiate the brakes. I was reading the F-150 forum and stumbled across a fix. ( https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-resolved.html )
Here's the scoop.
Remove the Master Cylinder from the booster by removing the two 14mm nuts.
Pull the assembly off the booster WITHOUT disconnecting ANYTHING! You will need to split your air cleaner housing to create room for it to pull off. I put the assembly on the passenger side bolt using the driver's side hole.
You'll reveal a shaft with a threaded rod coming out of it.
Hold the shaft with pliers or something...gently! Use a 7mm closed end wrench to back the rod out. Mine came out nearly 2 turns until I was happy with the pedal feel. Too far and it will actuate your brakes all the time, so do it in 1/2 to 3/4 turn increments. Take it for a drive up and down the driveway to test.
It took me 3 tries but now my brakes feel SOLID!
This was a 20 minute mod. This is in the V10 forum because I don't know if it is applicable to PSD powered trucks.
Here's the scoop.
Remove the Master Cylinder from the booster by removing the two 14mm nuts.
Pull the assembly off the booster WITHOUT disconnecting ANYTHING! You will need to split your air cleaner housing to create room for it to pull off. I put the assembly on the passenger side bolt using the driver's side hole.
You'll reveal a shaft with a threaded rod coming out of it.
Hold the shaft with pliers or something...gently! Use a 7mm closed end wrench to back the rod out. Mine came out nearly 2 turns until I was happy with the pedal feel. Too far and it will actuate your brakes all the time, so do it in 1/2 to 3/4 turn increments. Take it for a drive up and down the driveway to test.
It took me 3 tries but now my brakes feel SOLID!
This was a 20 minute mod. This is in the V10 forum because I don't know if it is applicable to PSD powered trucks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 18
From: Millersburg, OH
Nice! I'll be trying that this weekend. I just bought Russell braided brake lines to improve the feel (and just because I like the look 
). I'll try this mod first and then the brake lines.
). I'll try this mod first and then the brake lines.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 1,239
From: San Antonio, TX
Excellent find. I've never liked the pedal feel on mine. I'll try it tomorrow, last chance I'll have before we go to....Hawaii. Not visiting the big isalnd though. PM me for any must see locations. Oh yeah, rep points your way.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 2
Might not be the same on your '08 Brad. My '08 has crappy brake feel unless you give them a quick pump, then it's got great feel and progression.
Had it to the dealer in Dec and they said it was computer programming. That the computer now controls the brakes. Ford was working on a fix.
Back to the dealer last week. Now they have a new booster on order. I'd heard good things about this dealers service dept but I'm starting to wonder.
Had it to the dealer in Dec and they said it was computer programming. That the computer now controls the brakes. Ford was working on a fix.
Back to the dealer last week. Now they have a new booster on order. I'd heard good things about this dealers service dept but I'm starting to wonder.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
I wonder if this is a similar fix for the 07 Explorers.
I tried looking for the TSB, but I could not find it on the FTE TSB section.
I do not like the soft feel in my Explorer.
With this, I may still do another TSB search elsewhere.
I tried looking for the TSB, but I could not find it on the FTE TSB section.
I do not like the soft feel in my Explorer.
With this, I may still do another TSB search elsewhere.
Trending Topics
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
If you pump the brakes and they get better, it's either air, or too much clearance at the pads from a wobbly rotor or bearing.
Or not, I'm not batting a 1000 lately...
Or not, I'm not batting a 1000 lately...
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Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 1,239
From: San Antonio, TX
Might not be the same on your '08 Brad. My '08 has crappy brake feel unless you give them a quick pump, then it's got great feel and progression.
Had it to the dealer in Dec and they said it was computer programming. That the computer now controls the brakes. Ford was working on a fix.
Back to the dealer last week. Now they have a new booster on order. I'd heard good things about this dealers service dept but I'm starting to wonder.
Had it to the dealer in Dec and they said it was computer programming. That the computer now controls the brakes. Ford was working on a fix.
Back to the dealer last week. Now they have a new booster on order. I'd heard good things about this dealers service dept but I'm starting to wonder.
This trick is worth a try. If it doesn't work, no big deal. The only thing it will cost is about 30 minutes of my time.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 2
Brad, on mine if you just push the pedal once it takes more pedal travel and more preasure to stop good. After the quick pump the brakes are great. Best I've ever had even. Don't have time for the pump when you really need the brakes though. Hope they can get it right without too many tries.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
I know what you mean... Thinking about it, it could still be the pushrod like Monsta posted... there's always some "dead pedal" even without any slack that comes up when you pump 'em.
Thread Starter
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
My initial contact was soft. A quick stab at the pedal and a subsequent braking action provided better feel. With this mod I now simply touch the pedal and the brakes actuate. It now feels like the subsequent brake feel after the quick stab. MUCHO better! 
Thanks for the rep points.
Thanks for the rep points.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,243
Likes: 79
From: Roman Forest, TX
This looks great. My wife complained about the brakes the first and only time she drove the truck. But this looks interesting. What exactly is this "threaded rod", and what is it doing that by rotating it, the brake pedal play gets better? I'm probably going to try it anyway, but just curious what all is happening "behind the scenes"!