Truck brakes

Rowski · Oct 8, 2000

A while back I remember reading someone getting their truck brakes beefed up and getting the truck rated for a higher GVW. I can't remember who it was. Done some searching and can't find the thread. Thanks

Derek

MChalkley · Oct 8, 2000

Derek - Um, you found me. Why? Were you planning on calling the Federal D.O.T. boys to come check me out? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

MarkC

Rowski · Oct 8, 2000

I think DOT has enought work with the big rigs /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Actually I am interested in basically what did you do to the brakes? Can it be bought in a kit? What kind of truck do you got? I'm having some trouble with the brakes on our F350 4x4 wrecker and not getting much help from Ford.

By the way I had a hunch it was either you or Gordon.

Derek

Edited by Rowski on 10/8/00 07:07 PM.

MChalkley · Oct 8, 2000

Derek - I'm afraid I can't offer you too much help, as far as aftermarket parts goes. I scavenged the junk yards for straight trucks until I found some with the same axles, and snatched the breaks off them. I've got a '93 Dodge W250, but the same thing might work for your Ford.

MarkC

gordon · Oct 8, 2000

Derek What kind of problem are you having ? Shimmy, glazing, squeal, how old is the truck and how many miles on it?
Gordon

Muhammad · Oct 8, 2000

Or do you just need more stopping power?

gordon · Oct 8, 2000

Ford trucks don't go fast enough to need more stopping power./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif But then again he does live in mountian country so a good long downhill run could cause some problems.
On the serious side the reason I asked is that our shop does Ford warr. on moterhomes thought maybe I might be able to give him alittle help.
Gordon

Edited by gordon on 10/8/00 08:12 PM.

Rowski · Oct 8, 2000

It's a 1997 f350 4x4 460 4speed auto with 16K miles. Seems kinda funny that an auto tech has problems with his own vehicles. Basically a year and a half ago we had to replace a leaking front axle (side) seal. Had to remove the rotors and spindles to pull the axles. Noticed that the rotors had actually cracked on the inboard braking surface and started a hairline crack on the outboard. So we got new OE rotors and pads. Ford replaced them but not the labor. We did the work and not Ford. This spring I put on the summer wheels and checked the brakes and the friction material was getting really brittle (crumbling). So I replaced the pads with an aftermarket heavy duty pads. Drove the truck and noticed the brakes seemed hotter than normal. Check for brake drag and one side had SLIGHTLY more resistance than the other. So got new (not reman) calipers. Cleaned lubed double and triple checked everything. Seems o.k. but the brakes seem hotter than normal after coming down the mountain. I have check the back brakes and adjusted then properly. I also gear the truck down when I come of the hill but it's an auto so a little more difficult than a 5sp standard. Also I feather the brakes instead of riding them.
I think the back brakes are not agressive enough. I did check the rear drums while the fronts are hot. They are only warm, I can put my finger on the drum and hold it there. It's pretty frustrating. It's a service truck and don't have to much time to devote to fixing it. We have a 83 K35 dump truck (beater) that has excellent brakes, You can lock up the brakes on pavement with no load in.

Hope this is enough info.

Derek

gordon · Oct 8, 2000

Derek do you have more or notice more brake squeal as well with the new pads? The reason I say this it the amount of metal in some of the aftermarket pads is pretty high and with the higher content a few things happen. You get less braking power, also the brakes run hotter and you somtimes get more brake squeal. Just a thought.
I will ask the guys at the shop tomorrow about this and see what they have to say .

Sounds like a few things came into play the hot brakes might have caused the seal to go brittle and start to leak. A cracked roter is nothing to joke about even in flat country like I live in.

But I know I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know and haven't already gone through.
Gordon

Rowski · Oct 8, 2000

She got plenty of pep just likes her gas though (8 MPG empty /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif). Still the only one ton that can comfortably handle a 9' plow.

Derek