My 99 F150s frontbrakes are dragging and holding at times. I can never predict when this will happen. If I let the truck set for a while and cool down, it usually fixes itself.
Can anybody tell me the cause of this and how to fix it?

Thanks ,Ken

 

u probaly have a sticking caliper which is not super expensive to replace just got done doing the brakes on my 98 the caliper is about $85 without a core

 

How difficult is it to replace the calipers?

 

It's about a 3 out of ten (ten being most difficult). Read up on it before you try it.

 

before replacing caliper, take it off ,regrease the pins and flush and refill the system.my driver side would do that sometimes. i did all that and it hasnt happened since. that is probably the factory brake fluid. over time the fluid breaks own and can cause issues like this.especilly in the rubber lines. calipers usually last the life of the truck assuming the rest of tht system has been maintained.

 

Cleaning and Greasing the pins is your best bet. You also might need new rubber boots if they are damaged. Most systems use the stiffness of the rubber seals to pull the piston back a little from the rotor. If you get some dirt / rust on the pins then there is too much friction for the pistons to pull back under just the small force of the seals.

You'll want to bleed the brakes after, but a full flush of the brake system isn't needed - the fluid can't cause dragging brakes.

 

I've been thinking back to the times that the brakes have been dragging, and it is usually after going through some mud.
Is it just a temporary fix to clean and grease the pins, or should I just go ahead and replace the calipers?

Ken

 

When you go to clean the pins, check if they are really corroded. If that is the case you should be able to buy a new pin kit... cheaper than new calipers. At the same time make sure you have rubber boots that seal tight around where the pins slide out. You might need to replace those.

Once that is done, going through mud shouldn't cause an issue. As long as your rubber boots are intact this should be a long-term fix.

 

mkosu04

I have the same problem with the front discs dragging on my '98. Was told the brake hoses from the frame to the caliper needed replacing. I did this a couple of weeks ago, worked fine until Saturday. Brakes started dragging again. If I disassemble the caliper to regrease the pins, what grease did you use??

Thanks,

jack diamond

 

Hey Jack - theres a decent chance that the brake hoses were bad, but I highly doubt that it was related to dragging brakes. But its not worth fighting... its good to have new ones so you know you're good for another 5-10 years or more.

For greasing... you'll want to use a brake grease that specially formulated for the high temps, etc. I'm not sure the name of them... but here is one I found online...
http://www.autobarn.net/crcbrcasygr.html

I would think that AutoZone, NAPA, etc would all carry at least one brand.

And here is another site that talks about greasing the pins
http://www.aa1car.com/library/2005/ic80560.htm

Good luck!

 

Anti-seize works great too.

 

Never Seize, that's a great idea. I remember using it on some header bolts on an engine a long time ago. Never could keep those things tight !!

JD

 

I went ahead and put new brakes, rotors, and calipers on. The boot on one of the caliper pins was not sealed, so that may have caused the problem. I've only driven about 50 miles since, but so far so good. I did notice that when I bled the brakes that some of the fluid was very dark, I assume this was from it getting so hot.
I lubed the pins on the calipers with stuff they have on the counter at advanced auto. It was in a small pack and labled for calipers.

 

Correct - dark brake fluid is normal. The engine heat will turn the additives (lubricants, anti-rust, etc) in the brake fluid to a dark color. There are other possibilities as well, but this is the most common reason.

 

OK, I'm having the same problem.

Year: 1998
Model: F150 XLT 2WD
Engine: 4.6L (W)
Brake: Front Disc, Rear drum (Rear ABS only)

We had a VERY hot day the other day and my after market tire pressure monitoring system alarm went off (high temp alarm) the tire was over 200F!!!

Well, the tire pressure monitor replaces the air valve and mounts directly to the alloy rims. After some checking of the tires I finally realized that the rim was over 200F (not the tire) a quick check with my IR thermometer showed that right front brake rotor was almost 600F (the left front was around 200F).

I decided to give the truck a complete front brake job and replaced:

• Rotors
• Bearings
• Pads
• Flushed the brake system

I also clean and re-greased the caliper pins.

The over heating problem was not fixed (and I damaged my brand new pad). So, I replaced the pads (again) and installed a par of re-manufactured calipers (~$42/each before core deposit).

So, I've replaced:

• Rotors
• Bearings
• Pads (twice)
• Flushed the brake system
• Calipers
• Cleaned and greased the caliper pins

And the problem is still not fixed (after a 10 minute drive the left brake disc is at ~150°F and the right is 250°F to 300°F!). I've been working on cars for over 35 years, and have done dozens of brake/wheel jobs, but I've never had this kind of problem.

Any idea?