I am a new owner of a 91 F250 4x4 Extended Cab. The brakes have a very different feel, and I was unsure as to whether that is typical for this era of truck, or whether I can adjust.

Description: While traveling slow (5-10mph), if I depress the pedal about 1", I begin to feel the brakes engage softly. If I depress another 2-3", the brakes begin to engage further. Pedal stops, while pressing quite hard, about 4" from floor. I can stomp on the pedal and stop the truck quickly, but it takes quite a bit of pressure. There seems to be a lot of travel between when the brakes start to engage and when the brakes are fully engaged. Repeated pumping of the pedal does not change the pedal play (i.e. probably not air in the lines). Each time the pedal is depressed, there is a "whoosh" sound that comes from the pedal, but it only occurs while pressing the pedal down and is not continuous (i.e. not a vaccum leak).

What I have done: I bled all of the brake lines, the fluid was really dark and I doubt it had been changed in awhile. This had no effect on the brake pedal play.

What I think I need to do: I read from others that I should probably try adjusting the master cylinder booster rod, and that perhaps the rear brake shoes need adjusting. I had another Ford that had auto-adjusting rear pads that were supposed to rachet tighter as they wore out, but the rachetting system was rusted in place so they were not tightening. I will check that. Any other advice on whether the sounds the pedal makes and how it travels for this model of Ford F250 would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Regan

 

Sounds like you already have the answer to the problem. The rear adjusters have a tendency to seize which forces the shoes to have to travel further before grabbing the drums. I replaced the shoes on my 93 F150 2wd and the pedal has become considerably stiffer. Pull the adjusters off and wack the anti seize to them. Keep in mind though that the ford half tons do have a relatively soft pedal to them but the brakes grab hard when you have a good quality set of drums/shoes pads/rotors on.
Have a GOOD ONE, Jeremy

 

My brakes acted as you described, until I redid the rear brakes (one rear wheel cylinder was leaking). The adjuster was not working. Now with the brakes properly adjusted, hitting the brakes will send you through the windshield. New adjusters and hardware are not that much money, and are not that hard to install. It's a good idea to replace all that, even if the shoes and wheel-cylinders are in good shape.

 

You should have two brake warning lights that light up when you start your truck, one yellow, one red, make sure they work and have not been disconnected.

 

Thanks for all the great feedback. I'll definitely check the rear pad adjusters, and maybe even replace the pads while I'm at it, as I don't think they are all that expensive. I will also check on the brake lights during startup.

I had the opportunity to drive a 2004 F250 today, and notice the same "whooshing" sound when the pedal is depressed. Therefore, I figure that noise is normal for these trucks.

Regan