whats wrong with mybrakes???

[jerad188]

when i hit the brakes, only my back ones work, but they only lock up real quick, then the abs kicks in then they keep locking up.. no front brakes it seems like cuz only the back ones do it

i replaced the wheel cylinder and that wasnt the problem... is it my e brake hangin up? they dont drag?

 

[Robin Hood]

Check the star wheel. Might be set way too close. Are your pads worn?

I'd assume the star wheel is pushing the shoes on the drum and thats why it locks up so fast.....

Also maybe bad lines to the front... Bad master cylinder... its hard to say without being there.

 

[baddis]

does the pedal feel any different? have you checked the fluid? do you have a brake light on on the dash?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

just because the front brakes dont lock up doesnt mean they arent working (they arent supposed to lock up). a truck has pretty pitiful stopping distance with no front brakes, you probably wouldnt feel safe driving it if they werent working at all.

as for your rear brakes, how do the shoes look? is the friction material worn low, cracked, or glazed? if so its time for new shoes. verify that both self adjusters are working properly and arent seized up.

the problem is probably warped (egg shaped) drums. you'll need to have them machined or replaced in this case.

 

[BobR]

could be oily. if so check your axle seals.


Bob

 

[brendank]

Mine used to do that very often, despite the fact that everything was in good working order. If everything looks good, turn down the adjustment and then blow all of the brake dust out with compressed air. I found that if I pulled them apart every oil change and blew the brake dust out, then they wouldn't lock up anymore.

 

[JohnnyO]

My '99 Ranger used to do that, especially on damp mornings. It was still on warranty so I took it to the dealer, figuring that something was wrong with the ABS. They just put new brake shoes on the back and told me that they'd had problems with the OE shoes absorbing moisture and locking up until they got warm and dried out a bit.

 

[jerad188]

ok i put new pads on and that helped a lot. but it still feels like the truck is using more back brakes than front

 

[94STXRanger]

I doubt anyone really cares but blowing them with air is bad practice. Im sure you guys know but maybe not on rangers but some cars have asbestos in the friction material and blowing it around isnt good. Its better to spray it real good with break clean, then just through the solid waste away. Just so people know.