Help- Solid axles for dummies

[scotts90ranger]

Disc brakes are more controllable, not that they have more braking power... I didn't swap master cylinders when I put disc brakes on my '90 and it works perfectly fine... and there are ways to not fabricate with an explorer axle but they are spring under so you have to get F150 flip kit spring perches and two of one side of the explorer U bolt plates or something... I just welded stuff to the axle...

On the greasing of wheel bearings, that's the front wheel bearings, they are not in an oil bath so they do need attention here and there.

 

[Ranger850]

Explorer rear is a direct swap if your trying to lower the rear without a fabbing in a C-notch or a flip kit. this isn't the 4wd section, so I don't want to assume OP's trying to lift his Ranger.

 

[sgtsandman]

 

[don4331]

Why swap the master cyl? Discs take more fluid to actuate? I think I’d prefer drums anyway. The back is so light, the rears lock up under heavy braking as it is. Don’t think I’d want more brake power back there.

If the rears lock up it means your ABS/RABS (rear ABS) isn't working correctly - your '94 should have one or the other.

Disc and drum brakes operate at different pressures/volumes (discs higher pressure - 1,500psi in brake lines, but lower volume; drums lower pressure 750psi - but higher volume). The other "issue" is drums have a check valve that holds ~10psi in the lines so brakes are ready when you apply pedal (versus pedal going to floor before anything happens); discs only need ~2psi to accomplish the same thing as there aren't as many spring in the setup.

Sort of by plan, sort of by accident the low volume/high pressure disc versus high volume/low pressure works out to be more/less the same at master cylinder level. So, leaving drum brake set up for discs, just wears the pads a little faster.

 

[Chapap]

If the rears lock up it means your ABS/RABS (rear ABS) isn't working correctly - your '94 should have one or the other.

Disc and drum brakes operate at different pressures/volumes (discs higher pressure - 1,500psi in brake lines, but lower volume; drums lower pressure 750psi - but higher volume). The other "issue" is drums have a check valve that holds ~10psi in the lines so brakes are ready when you apply pedal (versus pedal going to floor before anything happens); discs only need ~2psi to accomplish the same thing as there aren't as many spring in the setup.

Sort of by plan, sort of by accident the low volume/high pressure disc versus high volume/low pressure works out to be more/less the same at master cylinder level. So, leaving drum brake set up for discs, just wears the pads a little faster.

ahh interesting. Well I just put all new drum components on, so I don’t think I’ll be planning on switching. I’d guess that I have RABS cause there were no electronics on the front, but the light is on and I’m assuming ABS doesn’t work at all. Does RABS only control the rear, and the front is standard non ABS?

 

[Curious Hound]

ahh interesting. Well I just put all new drum components on, so I don’t think I’ll be planning on switching. I’d guess that I have RABS cause there were no electronics on the front, but the light is on and I’m assuming ABS doesn’t work at all. Does RABS only control the rear, and the front is standard non ABS?

Yes RABS = Rear Antilock Brake System

 

[Chapap]

Yes RABS = Rear Antilock Brake System

well that sounds very nice. My explorer had 4 wheel ABS that seemed to say “it’s slippery. You can’t use the brakes right now.” I unplugged the fuse and had vastly improved braking.

 

[don4331]

well that sounds very nice. My explorer had 4 wheel ABS that seemed to say “it’s slippery. You can’t use the brakes right now.” I unplugged the fuse and had vastly improved braking.

Your Explorer is telling you it has brake issues and your solution is to pull the fuse?!

It's probably the tone ring has rust/crap build up so the sensor isn't getting signal and thinking the wheel is locking up. But the problem should be fixed, not masked, IMHO.​

 

[Chapap]

Your Explorer is telling you it has brake issues and your solution is to pull the fuse?!

Well this question is directed to 17 year old me. That answer would have been “yes.”