Hi
I replaced both front calipers on my truck about a month ago because one seemed to be seized. I decided not to do the flex lines because of time and was worried about getting myself into more issues as I am in an area where alot of salt is used and the lines are pretty rusted. Anyways I have kept an eye on my brakes and thought they may be a bit too hot after a drive so was questioning my flex line decision. I jack up the front and noticed the wheels (particularly drivers side) don't spin very free, I loosed the bleeder with no change so now I assume that eliminates the flex line??
I have aftermarket pads, I believe without the ears so I was wondering if they may be an issue? Then for some reason I tried spinning the wheels with the truck running and everything spun much easier(still a little drag), shut the truck off and everything spins well for about 15 sec then a faint thump and everything stiffen up again... vacuum hubs??
Sooo now thinking maybe everything is fine and im over thinking this...brakes get hot!! One question.. is it normal for drag to be on the front hubs with the engine off or is that a sign of a leak that will cause some issues eventually??
Should mention I'm in a 14 SCrew 4x4 and it seems to work fine.
Thanks for any thoughts

 

Yes on the vacuum hubs. Do you have the 4A transfer case or just 4H/4L/2H? The 4A transfer case will drag its clutch at all times so you'll get resistance any time the truck is off and the vacuum hubs are engaged.

 

Thanks for reply
so I don't have 4A. There is definitely more drag when the truck is off vs running so vac hubs are dragging a bit. I am 95% sure the drive shafts aren't spinning though. I think I would of noticed that but that 5% doubt makes me want to try again to be sure. It would make sense that the hubs engage with truck off(no vac)??

 

Front axles should rotate with front wheels when the truck is off. Loss of vacuum engages hubs. And yes, there is considerable more drag felt.

 

I Have a 18 f150 eco boost with about 128,000 miles on it bought it used over a year ago with 103,000 on it. The truck would get about 24 to 26 miles per gallon at highway speeds on my trips to Colorado from South Dakota. About six months after I bought this I was having some break issues and trucks started making grinding noises on a trip I took it would start making a horrible noise on the interstate for a few moments then if I hit the gas or breaks it would fade away. Needless to say this was concerning to say the least and was worried about driving home with this issue. So I ended up taking it to a local shop to have the brakes inspected because I thought they were catching or engaging while driving. They bled off and regreased my caliper pens to make sure they were activating properly and even changed out to the pads. Needless to say I ended up driving the truck back home nearly 400 miles and had the same issues. I have since then taking it into the Ford dealership multiple times to address the issue. We first started with the brakes and hubs I did have one bad hub bearing ever replaced and he looked at some other stuff as well. This still did not fix the issue so I drove it for a while thinking the issue would go away... It didn't. I rescheduled to take it back in this time I was a little bit irritated since I've already taken aback multiple times. I talked to the service manager that I've been dealing with on this thing since I've had it. After reading many forms and talking to multiple shops in the area I think I have a close idea what's causing these issues. So during the install of my hub assembly Ford has to update the software on the truck. The software update was meant to fix the transfer case and vacuum line issues Ford has with four wheel drive system. The new software from what the sales manager told me engages the transfer case all the time and not the front hubs. This is Ford's fix for this issue. The other issue on this truck unbeknownst to me there is a leveling kit on the front of the truck which is putting tension and strain on the front of the truck causing maybe some of these issues is what me in the sales manager came up with. I have also noticed less than desirable MPG I average 12 to 13 regardless of how or where I drive I am running slightly oversized tires at 33". My mileage has been crap since the update it's going back again to have the fuel system injectors and spark plugs checked out and any other issues. I also just had the transmission replaced less than a week covered mostly under my extended warranty thank goodness! Shifts and drives a lot smoother but MPG is the same. Hope this helps

 

I had similar issue with my 2012. I replaced pads on driver side and had an issue with compressing the pistons back into the caliper. I could only move them if I manipulated the flex hose to be almost straight out of the caliper. Made me think flex lines. I too am in the salt areas and my metal lines looked rusty. When I bought my flex lines I planned on metal line failure and purchase a new line that goes from the flex line to the ABS pump. When I went to change the flex line, sure enough the metal line at the flex hose twisted and failed. So far I only changed the driver side and it has solved my issues (so far). If you have already done the calipers I would go flex hoses and metal lines to ABS pump and not even think twice.

 

The pads can easily be installed incorrectly. The ears go on the inside pad.

https://www.f150forum.com/f12/2014-f...w-pads-408721/