Brake help
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Brake help
I've been gone for awhile doing some body work-what a mess! But now I'm back on the road and notice that my truck pulls to the left when braking hard. It doesn't seem to happen the first few times I brake but after that it's pretty routine. I checked and all the shoes are on correctly, smaller one forward and they seem to be adjusted similarly. I have bled and rebled them but there's no change. It doesn't seem to happen when I just pull the emergency brake which suggests to me it's a front left brake problem. Any suggestions or is it just a matter of adjusting them until it brakes straight. Thanks and Happy Holidays.
Chris
Chris
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
I think it's just a matter of adjustment. Drive the truck out to the market parking lot some night after it closes and drive the truck backwards at about 20 MPH while pumping the brake on and off. After that you won't care about it because you will probably get arrested.
Problem solved - ask anytime!
Julie
Problem solved - ask anytime!
Julie
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
I think it's just a matter of adjustment. Drive the truck out to the market parking lot some night after it closes and drive the truck backwards at about 20 MPH while pumping the brake on and off. After that you won't care about it because you will probably get arrested.
Julie
Julie
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,013
Likes: 9,957
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Chris,
Was there any signs of moisture inside the drum? Did the wheel sylinder look a little wet around the edges? Normally when something starts pulling its because the wheel cylinder starts leaking causing the shoes to grab.
Another thing to consider after you get the brakes adjusted and working how you like, is to upgrade the brakes to have the self adjusting mechanisms. I think Ford went to the self adjusting brakes starting in 1966 on the trucks. If you decide to do it you will need to buy both a spring hardware kit and a self adjusting hardware kit for each drum. The parts are readily available from the local parts stores.
Good luck
Bobby
Was there any signs of moisture inside the drum? Did the wheel sylinder look a little wet around the edges? Normally when something starts pulling its because the wheel cylinder starts leaking causing the shoes to grab.
Another thing to consider after you get the brakes adjusted and working how you like, is to upgrade the brakes to have the self adjusting mechanisms. I think Ford went to the self adjusting brakes starting in 1966 on the trucks. If you decide to do it you will need to buy both a spring hardware kit and a self adjusting hardware kit for each drum. The parts are readily available from the local parts stores.
Good luck
Bobby
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Chris,
Was there any signs of moisture inside the drum? Did the wheel sylinder look a little wet around the edges? Normally when something starts pulling its because the wheel cylinder starts leaking causing the shoes to grab.
Another thing to consider after you get the brakes adjusted and working how you like, is to upgrade the brakes to have the self adjusting mechanisms. I think Ford went to the self adjusting brakes starting in 1966 on the trucks. If you decide to do it you will need to buy both a spring hardware kit and a self adjusting hardware kit for each drum. The parts are readily available from the local parts stores.
Good luck
Bobby
Was there any signs of moisture inside the drum? Did the wheel sylinder look a little wet around the edges? Normally when something starts pulling its because the wheel cylinder starts leaking causing the shoes to grab.
Another thing to consider after you get the brakes adjusted and working how you like, is to upgrade the brakes to have the self adjusting mechanisms. I think Ford went to the self adjusting brakes starting in 1966 on the trucks. If you decide to do it you will need to buy both a spring hardware kit and a self adjusting hardware kit for each drum. The parts are readily available from the local parts stores.
Good luck
Bobby
When that occured, the cable guide became dislodged, usually ending up between the brake shoe and the drum.
Step on the brake: SCREEECH! Result: one gouged brake drum.
First year for F100's to have the little darlins' was 1964 (1961 for cars).
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,013
Likes: 9,957
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Bill,
LOL, yeah nothings perfect. Out here in the dry New Mexico desert they tend to last a bit longer. The biggest problem they have out here is not being cleaned and lubed when someone does a brake job.
(it wasn't too long ago I did the whole driving backwards and stomping the brake bit in my little Falcon......my neighbors love me...lol)
Bobby
LOL, yeah nothings perfect. Out here in the dry New Mexico desert they tend to last a bit longer. The biggest problem they have out here is not being cleaned and lubed when someone does a brake job.
(it wasn't too long ago I did the whole driving backwards and stomping the brake bit in my little Falcon......my neighbors love me...lol)
Bobby
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Bill,
LOL, yeah nothings perfect. Out here in the dry New Mexico desert they tend to last a bit longer. The biggest problem they have out here is not being cleaned and lubed when someone does a brake job.
(it wasn't too long ago I did the whole driving backwards and stomping the brake bit in my little Falcon......my neighbors love me...lol)
Bobby
LOL, yeah nothings perfect. Out here in the dry New Mexico desert they tend to last a bit longer. The biggest problem they have out here is not being cleaned and lubed when someone does a brake job.
(it wasn't too long ago I did the whole driving backwards and stomping the brake bit in my little Falcon......my neighbors love me...lol)
Bobby
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
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From: Poway, Ca.
I'll bet if you do this and come back and adjust them using the feeler gauge, they will work right. I had the same problem - worked for me.
Just a suggestion.
J!
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
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From: Poway, Ca.
J!
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Thanks for the suggestions-I think. The cylinders aren't wet and I haven't backed up in any parking lots yet but with the holiday coming I'm sure to find a suitable one. I guess I may just have to climb under one more time and try to adjust them the same or just drive more carefully so I don't have to jam on the brakes to stop and hold on tight so I don't crash into the person in the lane to my left!
Chris
Chris
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,013
Likes: 9,957
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Chris,
LOL....take the time to fix it, a brake pull can be dangerous. My wife's car (65 Ford Falcon) had a slight pull to the right. It wasn't too bad under normal conditions and easily managed. In a panic stop though it could drag you into the next lane....not a good situation (especially with the wife driving and hauling the kids around).
I had leaky wheel cylinders and some broken hardware on the Falcon. I completey replaced everything; shoes, springs, wheels cylinders, repacked frnt wheel bearing, replaced rear wheel bearing (they were noisy). The car was fine for a week or so then started pulling again. I tore it back apart to see what was going on. LOL, sure enough, I installed some of the hardware wrong in one drum....its not easy being me.
Recheck everything, give it a good adjustment all around (the rear brakes can cause a pull just as much as the fronts can) and then drive on down the highway in peace and comfort.
Good luck
Bobby
LOL....take the time to fix it, a brake pull can be dangerous. My wife's car (65 Ford Falcon) had a slight pull to the right. It wasn't too bad under normal conditions and easily managed. In a panic stop though it could drag you into the next lane....not a good situation (especially with the wife driving and hauling the kids around).
I had leaky wheel cylinders and some broken hardware on the Falcon. I completey replaced everything; shoes, springs, wheels cylinders, repacked frnt wheel bearing, replaced rear wheel bearing (they were noisy). The car was fine for a week or so then started pulling again. I tore it back apart to see what was going on. LOL, sure enough, I installed some of the hardware wrong in one drum....its not easy being me.
Recheck everything, give it a good adjustment all around (the rear brakes can cause a pull just as much as the fronts can) and then drive on down the highway in peace and comfort.
Good luck
Bobby
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Thanks for the sound advice. Sometimes with this truck after you have done the same thing five times it gets a bit frustrating-in the end though safety is the primary objective.
Chris
Chris
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,013
Likes: 9,957
From: Rio Rancho, NM
I know exactly what you mean. When I was messing with the Ol' Lady's Falcon I started by doing the backing and pulsing the brakes thing, then I jacked it up and adjusted it, then I decided there was probably something wrong so I pulled the fronts apart and redid them, then since the rear wheel bearing were noisy I figued I might as well do them, then I had to go back in and fix my mistake... ...and then......lol
This whole process occured over the course of about 6 to 8 months. I got pretty tired of jacking the little car up. Take a break (pun intended) from it, the old truck will wait for you.
It'll all be worth it
Bobby
This whole process occured over the course of about 6 to 8 months. I got pretty tired of jacking the little car up. Take a break (pun intended) from it, the old truck will wait for you.
It'll all be worth it
Bobby
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