Hi, All, I have a new (to me) 1996 f150 4x4 302 v8 with 120,000. After driving for a few miles the brake pedal vibrates up and down alot. It does not do it right away so I feel the front rotors are ok. Is there a way to unhook the emergency brake to see if this is what is hanging it up? Also, I have to replace both right and left knuckles(u-joints) as the bearing caps are loose causing alot of noise...how expensive/hard is that repair? Thanks

 

It's been forever since I replaced U-Joints but I seem to remember it not being very difficult at all.

The biggest issue was making sure those needle rollers stay put otherwise you'll spend 4 weeks finding them, cleaning them, regreasing them and putting it back together.

And be careful not to damage the rubber grease seal or you'll be doing this again real soon.

The E-Brake has a spring attached from the front section of the cable to the back half, on the frame underneath the driver side. You can probably pop that spring off and it may loosen the cable enough to make it useless. (I'm guessing on this)

 

Ebrake would just hold you back, most likely a warped drum\rotor or brake pads gone.

 

Pretty sure if you disconnect the parking brake the self adjusters for the rear brakes wont work/the rear brakes wont work?..

 

You may very well be correct. I'm not sure, which is why I said I was guessing.

 

Thanks guys, Now I know where to start. This is a 3rd car so dont have to do this right away!

 

yep you can unhook the ebrake....I did when I got my truck as even with only 79,000 miles it has never been used...right under the drivers side door is the coupler clip...just unhook it right there...