brake question
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Maple Ridge, Canada
brake question
I have a strange brake issue. When I brake hard and fast the pedal goes down farther before the brakes apply, and then the pedal pushes back on my foot. Applying the brakes normally they feel great, solid, no squish, lots of power. Hit it hard and it takes a second (and bit of pedal distance) to apply. Its rather scary.
Here is the list of things I've done in the last year or so: new calipers and pads, new rotors, new steering pump (atf level is good), top up the dot 3, brake bleed (two days ago). Any ideas? If it were just an airbubble, shouldn't I feel it all the time?
Here is the list of things I've done in the last year or so: new calipers and pads, new rotors, new steering pump (atf level is good), top up the dot 3, brake bleed (two days ago). Any ideas? If it were just an airbubble, shouldn't I feel it all the time?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,754
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From: Indianapolis
How did you bleed the brakes? Normal proceedure is rear right, then left, then front right, then left IIRC, so you bleed from the longest run possible. If your brake bleed is good to go, then it could be an issue with the power boost mechanism thingee. Anyone else got an idea? My brakes suck too, so I'm probably not the best help. I wish I could put air brakes on her, that'd be sweet!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
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When you bleed to start farthest wheel from master cylinder then go closer like stated above^ If you dont have any special bleeder tools the old fashion way is pump ten times then hold have someone crack it open then close. repeat process at least 5 times. If not finished keep going. The first one is the longest hence its far away. the rest just fall into place pretty easy.
If that dont work inspect your lines for kinks and then check master cylinder is working correctly.
If that dont work inspect your lines for kinks and then check master cylinder is working correctly.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
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Sorry just finished reading it all. ABS is prob your culprit. I had a Dodge with no ABS got a rental car and was screwing off and when i slammed the braked it clicked repeatedly and so loud the pedal felt like it was plastic and it was going to snap off! I hate ABS you cant stop in emergency, Id rather skid and direct my slide not just have my braked kick out!!
ABS inventor = STUPID JACKASS!
ABS inventor = STUPID JACKASS!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Maple Ridge, Canada
This is the first vehicle I've owned with abs. I've heard abs with shutter or vibrate, but you're saying is the pedal will travel farther then push back steady? This is normal? ...wierd... I'm with ya on having a reliable pedal and controlling my own skid!
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
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From: Bend Oregon
I'm wondering about the brake lines...they are 10 years old and may be getting pretty squishy(very technical term)
if you have ever been in to street bikes that is where soft line become the most apparent. When you replace factor rubber lines with good steel braided the difference is night and day. With the steel braided it almost feels like you have a direct mechanical hard connection between the brake lever and the caliper, with soft rubber lines it feels like your pushing on a balloon waiting for your force to be transfered through it.
Kind of sound like what you are feeling through your foot?
if you have ever been in to street bikes that is where soft line become the most apparent. When you replace factor rubber lines with good steel braided the difference is night and day. With the steel braided it almost feels like you have a direct mechanical hard connection between the brake lever and the caliper, with soft rubber lines it feels like your pushing on a balloon waiting for your force to be transfered through it.
Kind of sound like what you are feeling through your foot?
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From: sumner wa
is this your first vehicle with hydraulic brake booster? (my 99 has one so i imagine others do as well) if it is a hydraulic brake booster acts completely different than normal vacuum boosters, i installed hdraulic brake booster on my 77 full size jeep and it feel exactly like my 99 superduty in the way it reacts and responds(i dont have abs on the 77) but the braking that you describe is very similar to what both my hydraulic boosters do. best bet before you get to far into diagnosing if you actually have a problem is to go drive another vehicle similar to yours and see if it does it.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Maple Ridge, Canada
Yes, first vehicle with the hydraulic booster too. Its almost like a delay in the booster when I hit it hard, then it pushes back. If I press gradually into it, normal breaking, everything is great. if it were squishy lines I would feel it all the time. I think you might be right, I need to drive another truck and see if its the same.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
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From: Slatington, PA
Mine does the same thing. If you do it while the trucks idling, you can hear the engine drop some rpm's while the pump is trying to catch up the booster pressure. Replacing the rubber lines probably isn't a bad idea with a truck that age. I've been considering doing it on mine for a while now, before one possibly blows.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
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From: sumner wa
drive a couple with the hydro booster(ford/chevy/dodge used ones) that way you get a feel to determine if yours truly is different or if it just feels different.
imho the hydraulic brake booster does that because of the way its designed, when you fast apply the brakes you are using up whats in the little resevoir round can about the size of a redbull on the booster unit, so the pedal goes way down then the hydraulic pump(powersteering) forces it to fill back up(thus giving you your push back pedal feeling)
not saying that it is 100 percent on your rig vs mine etc.. you may have a problem but determine that by driving different rigs at least 2 other rigs with hydroboost and i would suggest a different ford about the same year and a dodge or chevy(so you feel if its truly different)
imho the hydraulic brake booster does that because of the way its designed, when you fast apply the brakes you are using up whats in the little resevoir round can about the size of a redbull on the booster unit, so the pedal goes way down then the hydraulic pump(powersteering) forces it to fill back up(thus giving you your push back pedal feeling)
not saying that it is 100 percent on your rig vs mine etc.. you may have a problem but determine that by driving different rigs at least 2 other rigs with hydroboost and i would suggest a different ford about the same year and a dodge or chevy(so you feel if its truly different)