Evenin' Gents


Just was working on my buddy's 1998 F150 4.2 2WD. He was pulling to the right wile driving so I was assuming that there was a slide pin stuck on the right front caliper. Took it apart, no dice. Slide pins are good. I did notice, however that when I was attempting to compress the caliper pistons, the brake fluid was not leaving the caliper. As I compressed one piston, the other expanded. I am assuming this was causing the lack of release on the caliper and not the slide pins.

My first thought was banjo bolt was clogged. Removed it, made sure it was clean, and put it back in. Same issue, also checked the bleeder for the same problem for the heck of it and it wasn't clogged either.

At this point I am just thinking he needs a new caliper? I don't want to put one on for him though and still have the same issue after. Is it maybe the rubber brake line? It looked fine from my checks. No leaks, and fluid gets into the caliper just fine. Just doesn't come back out.

I didn't check the left caliper at all because I had never seen caliper pistons act like a teeter-totter before when compressed. Figured that was an issue.

Any thoughts?

 

Needs brake hoses. If the rotor and pads are straight and even...that should do it.

 

I will concur as long as the pads are worn evenly across the face. If they are more than a few degrees differences in wear then you probly have a piston sticking and should swap it out and replace pads and turn rotors.

 

Uneven pad wear can be caused by the brake hoses as well. They break down on the inside and prevent proper flow to those twin piston calipers. Pieces of the line can break free inside after the line balloons once or twice.

 

If only depressing one piston at a time the other will push out. Use the old brake pad or piece of flat bar and try depressing both at the same time.

Since the pistons are moving it doesn't sound like there stuck so that leads me to believe that the hoses are the issue. And if your replacing them, if he can afford it go with SS lines.

Wayne

 

Huh, I didnt know that. My brakes are still firm so I didnt think the lines could be ballooning could they?

 

It's not ballooning that causes it not to release, the inside of the line brakes down and collapses internally not allowing the brakes to release.

BTW all rubber brake lines ballon, just the nature of them, that's why people upgrade to SS lines. There stronger and don't ballon or at least not as much.

Wayne

 

If your not having any problems, -no worries. Ford makes a good caliper, - better if it had steel pistons, but the calipers are the best part of that system IMO.

Beefier rotors and braided lines are a necessity , - specially if you tow with it IMO.

 

Mine were sticking so I changed out both front calipers, turned the rotors, and replaced my pads with EBC Greenies and it stops so much quicker and smoother.

 

Great!