As most of us know the F150s brake pedal is less than desirable. Some say adjusting the rod is the way to fix it. And, it could be, but there is the chance of really screwing something up.

After installing Power Stop rotors and pads the brakes are better, but still the pedal is squishy and needs to be pumped to get a firmer pedal.

I recently upgraded the brake hoses to SS braided from Crown Performance. I went with Crown because they will make a 5 piece set. Not just a 2 or 3 piece set. So, I've had time to install, and drive. The install is straight forward and kit comes with new clips, brackets, and washers. The only place I had problems is getting the rear L/R hoses off the hard line. In the end I just made new hard lines going from the rear center line to the L/R hoses.

After a bit of driving. I think it's finally where I want it. Now it doesn't throw you in windshield by any means. But, it is like if you pump your brake pedal when stopping to get the good firm pedal. I now don't worry about if I can stop in time under a emergency braking situation.

It's not a cheap upgrade, but if you can spend $300 on a CAI, $500 on a tune, and $500 on exhaust. All in the name of going fast. You can $100-$250 in the name of stopping fast.

 

I have no idea what you're on about. If you have to pump your brakes you have air in the line somewhere. Bleed them properly and the problem will go away.

 

A good upgrade though!! But Bob here is right too. I recently floored my pedal to avoid a rear end and after ward it felt like I had brand new brakes again. The pads are fairly thick on mine right now, I must've purged the air out of it.

 

I guess if I were a dumbass and didn't know anything about vehicles, and weren't a Ford tech at one time. I'd say ya'll were right. Or maybe it's just me and I'm used to Performance brake setups. These brakes have been bled every way possible. From old school pump and bleed to the use of power bleeders. So, I think I'm good on bleeding brakes.


And, if you take the time to search the forum you will find multiple posts about the brakes on these trucks. And my 2004 Expedition is the same way with a spongy brake pedal even before it's first brake job. And it's normal for the vehicle, but to me it's not. Maybe a crap brake system is normal to you, but it's not to me.

 

Some of us didn't get all our knowledge from forums. You'll do whatever you want to but I hope I'm nowhere near you when you actually need to stop.

 

04-08 brake system is on a scheduled maintenance interval for a flush and fill, which most owners have no clue about. My 08 has had a flush and fill 3 times now since new (just over 100K miles now) and my brakes are great, of course I don't skimp on pads and rotors either.. running a set of Hawk slotted rotors and pads now with great stopping power.

 

I do have to admit, my pedal felt spongy and went pretty far down (and was noisy) before I did a brake flush after putting new rotors and pads all around. Now my pedal is stiffer, and also quieter once I replaced the 13.5 year old fluid (Used DOT 5.1 fluid). It's easier to lock up the brakes/activate ABS now (especially when it's wet outside), compared to how it was. I do need to finish off bleeding the right rear brake, though. (I used four 16oz bottles in all, with two unopened bottles left)

BTW, Raybestos coated rotors all around, Wagner Thermoquiet ceramic pads in front, and Raybestos Element 3 semi-metallic pads in the rear.

 

Go sit down somewhere Bob. Didn't nobody pull your string. Keep yourself up north and I promise you that you won't be anywhere near me.

And I don't have to prove a damn thing to you on where my knowledge comes from. Where do you get your knowledge from? You Tube? MotorTrend TV? PowerNation TV? No? I guess you're a Ford factory trained ASE SUPER tech. No? I didn't think so! If you were to shut your hole you might learn something around here. There are plenty of people here that are smarter, and know more about Ford trucks than you.

But, that's not going to happen because you are the smartest one here.

 

I guess I got told. Mind you, all three of my trucks stop smoothly, quickly, in a straight line, with a firm pedal. But what would I know? I'm just an old guy who was pulling wrenches long before Al Gore invented the internet.

 

While you're at it. Why don't you tell me how you do it up north? Like we care.

While I'm at it. I'll throw a pay check down on mine stopping faster, and stopping more trailer weight than yours. That's more or less what this thread is about. BETTER STOPPING. Good for you that your truck works to your expectations. Not all of us believe that the best parts built by the lowest bidder and assembled by Ford. There are better options other than OEM at times.

BTW because you didn't comprehend the OP I'll enlighten you. The problem on my truck is with the factory rubber hoses expand as they age. Not air in the system as the entire system has been flushed and power bled prior to the SS hose upgrade. Now it works as I expect.

Now you can go bother someone else with your idiotic assumptions of what their problem is. Because, I don't have one other than people like you thinking they talking to a 15 year old that doesn't know what he is doing. And, you're not the only one around here that was turning wrenches before your Al Gores internet.