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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

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Old Aug 29, 2008 | 09:54 PM
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Question Brake Issues

I have a 1982 f150 4x4 with several brake issues.

When I push the pedal I hear air.Im guessing that the power brake unit is bad ?

Im not 100% sure it has the correct calipers are on it.Ive been looking at replacements and there seems to be 2 choices to choose from.How can I be sure I get the correct calipers? The truck has the inline 6 and dual shocks up front.

Emergancy brake seems to work only if the truck is rolling forward.It will hardly work if the truck is going back.
 
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 12:14 AM
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for the ebrake problem - any chance the shoes are 'on the wrong foot' so to speak?

as for your calipers, they are all 2-7/8 pistons, metal or phenol but some are 'severe duty' OR they say 5100GVWR vs 4700GVWR - use your door sticker to determine which GVWR you have.
 
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 12:48 AM
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I wouldnt be surprised if they were but will check into the rear brake issue.

Ill take a look for the tag.I think it may be a heavy duty do to the dual shocks and super low granny gear but I really dont know for sure but will find out in the morning
 
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 01:09 PM
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Well I just took a look at the GVWR and its 5,500.The largest Ive found so far are rated 5,000~5,100lb Gvw 4 Wheel Drive.What does this tell me ? TIA for the help
 
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 01:27 PM
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Easy way to remember which shoe goes where: Long > Rear (both have 4 letters) and Short > Front (both have 5 letters). Hissing is likely the booster. If you replace it be sure to adjust the internal brake pushrod per instructions. Or better yet, buy a booster/master cylinder assembly already put together, they are usually only a few dollers more and if one is bad the other is likely not far behind.
 
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 02:30 PM
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I ran the VIN # and this is the brake package I got• Hydraulic brake system, Class D, GVWR 5,001-6,000 pounds, None. 5100GVWR is what seems to be listed as the larger brakes when I looking for parts.So is it safe to say I need the 5100GVWR spec brakes since the gvwr weight on the label is 5,500?

Whats the best place to buy this type of part? Advanced autozone ok or is there a good online company?
 

Last edited by BMWM1; Aug 30, 2008 at 02:33 PM. Reason: new info
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 03:12 PM
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you can try rock auto. often even with shipping they beat advance et al significantly
 
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 05:08 PM
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E brake not working in reverse is normal but I honestly can't tell you why.

I believe it has something to do with the way they engage the top of the shoes.

Two different brake widths were available for the rear. Either 2 1/2 or 3 inches wide.

I believe the fronts are all dual piston calipers on the front.

Also, I don't believe 5100 GVWR is Heavy Duty and most likely takes the smaller brakes.
 
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Old Aug 30, 2008 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by uncle.stosh
E brake not working in reverse is normal but I honestly can't tell you why.

I believe it has something to do with the way they engage the top of the shoes.

Two different brake widths were available for the rear. Either 2 1/2 or 3 inches wide.

I believe the fronts are all dual piston calipers on the front.

Also, I don't believe 5100 GVWR is Heavy Duty and most likely takes the smaller brakes.
Thanks for the input.The label on the truck says its 5,500lbs and the only brakes I can find for it is 4,700 or 5,100-6000.What do I do?
 
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 03:34 PM
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I could really use some input on this.I just got back from advanced and what they gave me is going to require a jack hammer to install so Im guessing its not the correct one.The wedge/slider peice is not going to go in.Any help would be greatly appreciated
 
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 05:29 PM
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IIRC: You have to put the top of the caliper in first, then slide the bottom in.

Put the caliper support spring over the support and drive them in together as a unit.

Here is a pic of the single piston, but the HD (dual piston is the same principal):

 
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 06:39 PM
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Just got back from the 5th trip today advanced auto I ordered what they call sever duty calipers hopefully they will fit but who really knows

I have absolutly know idea why this so hard to do.Its not like Im working on cutting edge technology.I would have thought someone here would have had issues simular to mine but oh well.

Thanks for the help and Ill post the outcome of the new calipers.
 
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 09:17 PM
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well I did a little more research - the calipers you need are the same ones I take on my manual brake truck - they are 'severe duty' for that size truck. In 1982 F150s were not very heavy, but were very light - few believe that a f100 2wd ships at 3700lbs but they did.

there is no such thing as a dual piston ford caliper for the f150 that year (mebbe any year but I didnt look that far into it)
 
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Old Aug 31, 2008 | 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by quaddriver
well I did a little more research - the calipers you need are the same ones I take on my manual brake truck - they are 'severe duty' for that size truck. In 1982 F150s were not very heavy, but were very light - few believe that a f100 2wd ships at 3700lbs but they did.

there is no such thing as a dual piston ford caliper for the f150 that year (mebbe any year but I didnt look that far into it)
Thanks for the help.I feel a little better that I maybe getting the correct brakes this time.Im guessing that this is a rare brake option? What exactly is the difference in the to types?
 
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Old Sep 1, 2008 | 08:40 AM
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without seeing them side by side I dont know. but I think the 'heavy duty' and 'severe duty' are just marketing items to signify that someone ordered A truck with roughly 500lbs more carrying capacity.
 
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