1998 F-150 5.4 ext cab 4x4

I had my rotors turned a few months back and replaced my pads. The rotors are at minimum spec.

I cleaned and lubed the pins well while doing the brakes. Recently I had the front brakes really hanging up and they kind of fixed themselves, but still seem to be dragging.

I caught something that with minimum spec rotors the calipers may be over extending (whatever the proper term is?) or maybe it's just actually still the pins not letting the rotor float?

I don't use this truck a whole lot, but I will be going on an extended trip with it in a few months. Suggestions? I know I should probably just replace the rotors, but if I do than I'd just assume go with slotted ones but don't really have 200.00 for those right now.

 

As thick as new pads are, I doubt the caliper piston is over-extended. Sounds like you did all I do on a brake change and my first thought was a caliper hanging up due to age or even dirt in the fluid. Easiest place to start would be to crack the bleeder valve and bleed the calipers unless the fluid is nasty and dark looking, then a full flush

Also, if you haven't seen this..... all 4 slotted rotors w/ pads :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I plan on getting these in the next week or so

 

Be sure the pads are free to move in their slots.
I have had replacement pads that had to be faced off a little to get them free moving in their mounts.
The caliper slide pins are to allow the whole caliper to auto center on the rotor but does not help the pads position much in their caliper mountings..
Be sure all is free to move.
Some tipoffs are looking at the pad wear. If one side is wearing more or even some angle wear, something is not right.
One or both caliper pistons could be frozen.
Is the issue only on one side etc.
Good luck.

 

Thanks for the pointers already

Both sides, don't drive this truck very often. Bought it with 12-14,000 miles in 99 and I just turned 66,000 Memorial Day weekend. Mainly sits cleaned up in the garage


Anyways, both sides were really hanging up Memorial Day weekend, kinda fixed themselves but both are still dragging pretty evenly, you can turn the wheel with light/moderate effort, but it's not anywhere near free movement and you can hear the brake pads making contact.

Hopefully this weekend I'll have some free time to pull the pads/calipers to take a look. Was thinking about replacing the hoses sometime soon also?

 

theres no set rule on replacing the hoses. mine had 260k on them before one blew, and it still looked good. they mostly go where the metal meets rubber.

 

heres a tip. every once and a while go into a parking lot with plenty of room. get up to about 30-40 mph and jam on the brakes. maybe do it twice. its a good brake test.