Ford Brake Problem

[JimK]

Have a 98 Coachman Class C. Have used it rather regularly. Two years after buying it, was in VT and the brakes were dragging badly. It was still under warrenty and a local Ford dealer replaced the front brakes, calipers and rotars. Then this past October, about 20 miles into a trip, the left front brake locked up so severely that it was smoking and had to be towed to garage. After having the moving parts cleaned and lubricated, our trip of 10 days was uneventful. However, mileage had dropped 1 - 1 1/2 mpg. While I was checking the brakes at just about every rest area, everything seemed a normal temperature.

Then in December we headed to FL. Arriving at Disney, I smelled a familar odor and the front brakes were hot again. A visit to Camping World showed that not only was the front rubbing, so was the rear. Now another rebuild job but no warrenty. Painful!

Have read in several magazines that brake fluid can absorb water and result in rusting. Have followed advice of magazines and have had the fluid replaced several times.

Has anyone else had a similar problem and, hopefully, a solution? Will consider anything including an exorcism!

[JimK]

Have a 98 Coachman Class C. Have used it rather regularly. Two years after buying it, was in VT and the brakes were dragging badly. It was still under warrenty and a local Ford dealer replaced the front brakes, calipers and rotars. Then this past October, about 20 miles into a trip, the left front brake locked up so severely that it was smoking and had to be towed to garage. After having the moving parts cleaned and lubricated, our trip of 10 days was uneventful. However, mileage had dropped 1 - 1 1/2 mpg. While I was checking the brakes at just about every rest area, everything seemed a normal temperature.

Then in December we headed to FL. Arriving at Disney, I smelled a familar odor and the front brakes were hot again. A visit to Camping World showed that not only was the front rubbing, so was the rear. Now another rebuild job but no warrenty. Painful!

Have read in several magazines that brake fluid can absorb water and result in rusting. Have followed advice of magazines and have had the fluid replaced several times.

Has anyone else had a similar problem and, hopefully, a solution? Will consider anything including an exorcism!

[Jerry Wessel KA8MBK]

I had a Motorhome with a Ford chassis and yes you have to clean and lubricate the slides for the calipers regularly. Also make sure you use DOT3 high temp/high performance brake fluid. That is is Ford specs. I have done several maint procedures in campgrounds for people and it is not hard. I put 60,000 on my set of pads. But you must maintain them well.It sounds like the wrong lubricant was used. Ford does have a recommendation, which I do not have handy now.

[JimK]

Thanks for the info Jean and Jerry. Unfortunately, I have been following your suggestions and still had the most recent problem. Slides were lubricated in late Oct. and stll had a problem in Feb. Rig is in for inspection now. Mechanic is checking with Ford for suggestions.

Jim

[Fred Cooper]

I had a similar problem on a 96 Dutch Star (Ford F-53) with the caliper pistons sticking in the extended position on the left front. I think this may have been caused by the previous owner not changing the fluid every 2 years as recommended. Be sure that all calipers are checked for easy movement of the pistons. Of course, the caliper slides must be clean and lubricated also.