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Old 10-14-2010, 10:02 AM
Dan Woodland Dan Woodland is offline
Ford Truck Driver
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 80
Default Rear brake problem

Hi all,

My 97 XLT had a brake problem in the recent past where I had the drums turned, scuffed the pads and backed off the brake adjusters.

It worked great for a month or so and now it's starting to squeak and lock up with the slightest pedal pressure applied - the same problem I had a week ago. I'm assuming it's a brake adjuster issue as the brake pedal has almost no play in it now.

I also assume the brake adjuster should only adjust during backing up or emergency brake application which I use all the time since it's a 5 speed. Could it be a weak spring that the adjuster is over powering? Could something be in "backward"? Unfortunately I inherited the truck so I don't know what was done when the pads were last replaced - the pads are like brand new with lots of brake material left.

any help would be greatly appreciated guys. I don't want to be pulling the wheels off every month or so making manual brake adjuster adjustments.

Dan
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Dan
1997 XLT , Splash suspension
5 speed , Regular Cab
60/40 split bench
All Original, 165K miles (complete brake job)
Clutch, master and slave, timing belt 110K
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  #2  
Old 10-25-2010, 09:28 AM
Dan Woodland Dan Woodland is offline
Ford Truck Driver
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 80
Default Re: Rear brake problem

I'm surprised no one had the same issue but I figured it out so now i have something to contribute to help others.

If you feel a vibration while driving on the highway, about 60 mph, and you determine it's not your U-joints, a tire/wheel issue, loose bearing, or a bad suspension part look at your rear brakes. The rear, drum style, brakes on my XLT were "loose". The reason they were loose, the self adjustment mechanism was not working properly. Actually it was so loose I could take it off with out removing it the way the manual instructs.

Since I had to replace the passenger side self adjuster I spent the extra $20 and did the driver side and also replaced ALL the springs in the both rear drum sets.

The truck stops like a dream now and doesn't shake on the highway. I surmised the rear passenger side shoe were dragging on the drum, heating up and then acting like an anti-lock brake system pulsing on and off generating the shaking at high speed.

I'll post a few pics later.

Dan
__________________
Dan
1997 XLT , Splash suspension
5 speed , Regular Cab
60/40 split bench
All Original, 165K miles (complete brake job)
Clutch, master and slave, timing belt 110K
Reply With Quote
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