Soft brakes issue
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New User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 20
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Soft brakes issue
I can't seem to figure out what the problem is with my brakes. They're really soft to push in and it doesn't really do anything until they're about mid way and then it stops like crazy. I've replaced the booster and i've bled them on all four corners and still it does that. Any other suggestions?
Thanks
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: northwest,WA
mine isnt so extreme but I have questions on how to deal with this as well, obviously everything thought of so far, bled, new pads and drums, master.cyl
they work fine, just soft I drove a friends f250 the other day (78 as well) and his breaks are crazy sensitive
I have my camper on the back right now and they still work fine just soft...
they work fine, just soft I drove a friends f250 the other day (78 as well) and his breaks are crazy sensitive
I have my camper on the back right now and they still work fine just soft...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
First is to adjust the rear brakes the right way.
Jack the wheel up, turn the brake adjuster until the brake shoes lock up the wheel.
It has to be tight enough that you can't turn the tire by hand and maybe a little more. This is important because it centers the brake shoes to the drum.
Next, stick a small screwdriver into the adjuster port and push against the ratchet to disengage it, so that you can take your adjuster tool and turn the adjuster backwards to release the pressure so the wheel just begins to turn with the slightest amount of drag. This is a little awkward until you get the feel for it. Shine a light into the port helps.
The adjuster should not turn but one direction unless you release the ratchet.
This will result in proper adjustment and most folks skip this important step which results in long pedal travel and sometimes a soft pedal.
You do this first before bleeding.
Jack the wheel up, turn the brake adjuster until the brake shoes lock up the wheel.
It has to be tight enough that you can't turn the tire by hand and maybe a little more. This is important because it centers the brake shoes to the drum.
Next, stick a small screwdriver into the adjuster port and push against the ratchet to disengage it, so that you can take your adjuster tool and turn the adjuster backwards to release the pressure so the wheel just begins to turn with the slightest amount of drag. This is a little awkward until you get the feel for it. Shine a light into the port helps.
The adjuster should not turn but one direction unless you release the ratchet.
This will result in proper adjustment and most folks skip this important step which results in long pedal travel and sometimes a soft pedal.
You do this first before bleeding.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Gatlinburg
A new booster for a 78 F350 2wd helped my F250 Highboy a lot. They are a tad smaller in diameter but a lot thicker and will give you more boost.
The adjustment trick sounds like a must as well. I think I'll do that to mine.
The adjustment trick sounds like a must as well. I think I'll do that to mine.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 668
Likes: 2
I'll add this to Bart's correct post...Pump the brake pedal a couple of times before you back off the adjuster and try to turn the wheel again for proper drag. The adjuster doesnt really center the pad's by itself. The adjuster pushes the bottom of the pad's out, while the wheel cylinder pushes the top of the pad's out. A combination of both will give you a good center alignment of the pad's.
