I have a 1997 F-150 4.6 auto. I purchased this truck in November 2003 and replaced the pads and rotors and had the rear drums turned. I blead the system after the brake change. Pedal felt OK but not the best after I got done.

Now it seams that the pedal is getting softer and softer. Everyone I ask, says that is the way Fords are. This is the first Ford product that I have owned. I have always had GM products and still do and the brakes on them are leaps and bounds above the Ford.

If you pump the brake pedal during stopping it gets firm and will hold the firmness until you let off. It will stop by only pushing once, but goes too far for a normal brake system. There is no hissing or any other strange noises. The fluid level is good and stays at the same level.

Thanks,
Alan

 

97 Had a poor pedal from new. Need to stay o top of the rear adjustment. most all of the work is done by the fronts. ( have had the rears not show any wear in over 100,000 mi) back out of the driveway a little quicker than normal and hit the brakes hard. you can also adjust them manually every few months. If it is only a low pedal and not one that fades then more than likely it is somewhat normal and adjustment is the answer. Good luck!!

 

your freinds are right. ive driven fords all the time and when i have to jump in a gm i feel like im going to lock the brakes up everytime i touch the pedal. now i dont know if they do something different with the brake booster or if its something else with their brake design. even when i have mine adjusted tight and all my caliper slides freed and moving it stops good but the pedel still feels "softer" then gm's

but having the rears adjusted propperly on a rear drum vehicle will make a big difference.

 

That is where I was heading, but I wanted to make sure it wasnt more than just an adjustment on the rear.

I know that I did the reverse thing when I first installed the brakes, but I cant remember if I have gone fast enough in reverse to adjust anything or not since then.

Thanks for the replies...will follow up
Alan

 

I hate GM truck brakes. Standing on the pedal of a GM truck to me feels like stomping on a wedge of pound cake. That being said, dirty, contaminated fluid contributes to a poor feeling pedal just as much as air in the system or improperly adjusted brakes.

 

When you bled the brakes, did you change the fluid, or just till the air stopped..... I would change all the fluid....use castrol lma fluid....when you change the fluid be careful not to suck air from the top. or it will get trapped in the abs....also, did you happen to notice you rear adjusters, I had a problem that lots have had...the star wheel cut a groove in the ajuster tab. as a result, no automatic adjusters.....loose rears will give you a soft pedal because the cylinder in the rear has too much travel.

 

I just bled them until the the air stopped.

When I replaced the rear shoes the drum would not go over them, so I had to have the drums turned for them to fit. I dont know if maybe Auto Zone game the wrong shoes or not. As far as I could tell, the pads were adjusted as good as they could be to allow the drums to fit.

I have not checked the adjusters since I did the brake job, that was last November.

Will check tonight, a box truck pulled out in front of me at lunch today and I almost didnt get stopped.

Thanks for all your help...
Alan

 

hey BIG:
ditto on the '97 soft brakes.
I'm curious to see if you find a solution other than adjusting the rears. Generally speaking, I adjust the rears everytime I change the oil. I've had my truck since 96, and that's just the way it goes. Every once in a while I consider disc upgrades, but that's as far as it gets.

 

Hey WSECTION...

I havent had time to mess with the brakes yet, I roofed a house this weekend and finishing it up tomorrow.

As soon as I get to look at it, I will post my findings.

Thanks,
Alan

 

I had a '97...first change out the fluid yearly...it loses it viscosity quickly...second change out your adjustment assembly on the rear drums with this kit F7SZ-2A176-AA..there's enough for both wheels...if you look at the adjustment lever there you will find a knoch there..this will correct it...when you put it on adjust the wheels until they just scrape and put on the brakes and readjust until they scrape again and continue until there is no adjustment left to do to make them scrape...like brand new now!!

 

Thanks for the info....

IS that a dealer part number or Auto Zone??

Thanks,
Alan

 

texfordid, was that a ford part # or from somewhere else. any comment on cost or what the kit contained. thanks

 

Been busy...thats a Ford number about 15 bucks..it has 2 sets of springs plus the levers and acuators for the self adjusting part of the brakes...you'll see...only order one kit there's enough for both wheels there

 

Finally worked on it over the weekend.

The self adjuster lever was not toucing the notches on the adjuster, so I adjusted it nad put a zip tie on it to hold it. This was on the drivers side, the pass side was OK. I now have a much firmer pedal, like it should be.

I am going to get the kit that was suggested a few post ago and see if that corrects what I zip tied.

Thanks for all the help and info,
Alan