Got a 99 F150 4x4 with about 133,000 miles. Replaced the front pads yesterday and adjusted the shoes on one side in the back.

Stops much better now but I still have quite a bit of travel in the pedal. Should I be thinking about a full overhaul? I get uneven wear on the front pads. Maybe a very slight leak on the wheel cylinders in the back. Hard to say if it could be called a true leak.

This is my thoughts on what to replace:

front rotors - replaced once, but could stand to be replaced again
back drums - factory originals
front calipers
front pads
rear wheel cylinders - factory originals
rear brake shoes
master cylinder - factory original
flex lines - factory originals

So, should I do an overhaul and if so, anything to take off the list or add to the list?

Thanks in advance.

GL.

 

I'd be checking all things out for sure to rule anything out. I think if the shoes are originals, a new set wouldn't hurt. Check the condition of the wheel cylinders, replace if necessary. Since you put on new pads (front), did you at least have the rotors cut? How's the condition of the front calipers? Are they leaking at all, stiff or ??? Since you know of a wheel cylinder leak, just replace them both and bleed the system well, saves from doing it later.

 

if you are trying to fight long travel, one of the first things to try is a full system bleed. A 99 truck might have absorbed a decent amount of moisture into the brake fluid by now. And maybe someone improperly bled the brakes previously and there is a bit of air in the system. Either will increase the compressibility of the brake fluid and give you longer travel.

The next thing to try is replacing the flexible lines at all 4 wheels. If they are original, they probably have some stretch to them now... which will take fluid and add to the pedal travel.

Those should be your first two things to do... probably just go ahead and start with new flex lines since replacing those will require a full system bleed. (otherwise you'll have to bleed it twice)

If new flex lines don't fix it... then look at replacing calipers / wheel cylinders. Although in order to feel a leak at the wheels, you should have a pretty good drip. One way to check for a leak is to push the brake pedal and hold it at a constant force. Let it stabilize for about 10 seconds and then see if it drops away from your foot... this would indicate that a small leak is occurring in the system.

 

I didn't have the rotors cut. I probably should have but they looked ok until I put the last pad on and that happened to be on the inside when I noticed one side of one rotor needed smoothening. At that point I just didn't have enough time in the day to go back and pull rotors off and go get them planed.

The brake system has never been cracked so I'm going to probably go with your assumption of moisture in the brake fluid. The front calipers all move well and don't seem to stick at all (though why the uneven wear?). Also judging from your description I definately DO NOT have leaky wheel cylinders as I don't really see any fluid. It looks more like when you spill a little motor oil when adding to your engine and over time it collects layer of dirt/sludge.

So I think I will start w/ your suggestion of replacing the flex lines and bleeding.

Thanks guys, for the input.

 

this is not uncommon - as the piston slides back and forth it will take a tiny amount of fluid past the seal every time. After awhile, you can see some buildup.