I have a 02 F150 king ranch 4x2 with a 5.4. A month ago I noticed when I took my son to school there was a rubbing sound from the front of the truck when I applied the brakes (about a 25min commute). The front brakes are also getting very hot. It is very hilly and has a lot of stops. I didn't notice any other time. So since then I have replaced the pads and rotors. Still the same noise so took it to midas (boy do they over charge) and they diagnosed it as needing the calipers replaced. I replaced the calipers myself. Since then the front brakes still get hot, even on a very short drive and the noise is there when I take my son to school. So I replaced both front rubber brake hoses. Still the same issue. brakes get hot on short drive. The wheels don't turn freely when jacked up (have to use two hands). Also there is no leaking/loss of brake fluid. I Drove it to the coast (approx 150 mile 1 way) and never heard/felt the rubbing.

The back brakes do not get as hot.

Any Ideas?

The master cylinder is not leaking and I don't have any ABS codes. Has anyone ever had this problem? I was wondering if it is possible the return springs in the master cylinder are not returning quickly/normally thus the brakes stay in contact with the rotors creating all the heat?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

Is the (hot) temp the same on both front wheels? Good idea to get an IR thermometer.

 

Both front brakes are hot. Not sure of exact temp. No smoke or smell of burning though. But they are way hotter than the back brakes. Sprayed a little of of water on them and the water immediately evaporates. The back brakes don't evaporate.

 

Are they dragging? Did you just complete a drive? The front ones always get hotter since they're the predominant truck stoppers.

 

yeah they are dragging. when the vehicle is up and the tire is off it is difficult to turn the wheel, you need two hand. It doesn't turn freely like it should.

 

You mean to spin the wheel hub or to turn the steering wheel? If you think it's the calipers dragging, start simple - flush the entire brake system.

 

on mine, the hoses that connect the rigid brake lines to the tire degraded and would maintain pressure after the brake pedal was released. it would bleed off slowly until it normalized.

this extra pressure means the brakes are applied longer than normal. situations like stop signs have you driving through the brakes, making the wheel hot.

the hoses are a cheap and fast fix

 

Ive had a similar issue occur on a 60's ranchero, and a 70's mustang- there is a fluid return port in the master cylinder that can get crud in it and wont let the fluid flow back into the m/c after you release the brake.
I would think that the new plastic m/c would be similar in operation, perhaps not, but if flushing,as Marty suggests, dont work, changing out the m/c may be something to consider.