96 Explorer can't get rear brakes working ... replaced line.

[mccoyxx]

Hello everyone and thanks for taking the time to try to help me. I have a 96 Explorer Sport with a 4.0 in it .. its an auto. 4x4 dunno if all that matters though, here is my problem. My rear brakes aren't working ... they were functioning and just quit ... The booster is working, because my front ones are working fine ... The line going to them has been replaced, but they still don't work ... There are no leaks or air in the lines ... It has been bled and I have a good solid pedal ... any suggestions at all ? ... thanks ... RSM

 

[jremington59]

Are the calipers seized?

 

[mccoyxx]

I wouldn't imagine they are as they were both working fine then just stopped ... what would be the odds of both just seizing at the same time ? ... I have got to get them fixed though ... winter is here ... I will check and see though if no one else can tell many any other problems it may be ... thanks for the response ... RSM

 

[jremington59]

Is the brake pedal hard? Have you taken off the back tires, had someone press the brakes and inspected everything?

 

[mccoyxx]

Yes it has a firm pedal . No I haven't visually inspected everything with the wheels removed yet ... I just assumed the old line got somehow gummed up ... will try that too though when I work on it again ... thanks for the advice ... keep it comin guys ... RSM

 

[budwich]

I wouldn't imagine they are as they were both working fine then just stopped ... what would be the odds of both just seizing at the same time ? ... I have got to get them fixed though ... winter is here ... I will check and see though if no one else can tell many any other problems it may be ... thanks for the response ... RSM

and how do you know they were working fine and then just stopped??? did you actually see them (calipers) move?

 

[jremington59]

I would guess the rubber boot is gone and the calipers have rusted.

 

[mccoyxx]

will check when I remove the wheels and do a visual, but I can't hardly imagine they would stop working at the same time on both sides all of a sudden due to rust ?? however I am open to all opinions and suggestions and I will check ... thank you very much for you're time ... RSM

 

[jremington59]

Another thing you could look at is to take off the cover to your fluis res and make sure both the front and back sections are full of fluid.

 

[mccoyxx]

reservoir is full ... also if it is rusted where the rubber boot has worn away or whatever ... would some WD-40 fix it or would you imagine I would have to buy the whole new assembly and replace it ? ... RSM

 

[my pos mounty]

The little rubber boots on the slide pins can be replaced. They come as a kit with new slide pins. I have a 99 mounty 5.0 AWD and am on my second set of replacement calipers. They worked fine before I had to replace both sides as well, however when I went to push the pucks back into the caliper is when they seized. If the pucks went back into the caliper body easily, try cracking the line connections to see if you get fluid out. By the way, I DO NOT recommend Autozone replacement calipers as I have had problems with them. I also read on here somewhere that the ABS system can do this as well. Search the site.

 

[jremington59]

What I don't get is if you havent put it in the air and removed the tires, how is it that you know the brakes aren't working?

 

[mccoyxx]

cuz if they were all workin the Ex wouldn't keep goin through stoplights when I hit them at 55 !! and on slick surfaces when i hit the brakes hard the front 2 lock up an slide .... trust me no rears workin at all

 

[budwich]

wow pretty "scientific analysis"... you might want to use try and take one wheel off along with one caliper and "investigate" its operation. Trust me, it will go along way in resolving your issue.

 

[my pos mounty]

You do not mention if you hear/feel the ABS system activate but it sounds to me that it does not. I have read other posts on here where they have good pedal feel and no rear brakes as well. Their problem turned out to be the ABS motor. They were not getting any fluid to the rear line, which is why I said to check that by cracking the line (start at the caliper bleeder screws). If you get NOTHING out, chase the line up to where you find the problem. Whomever replaced your line could have allowed a piece of crap to get in there, or maybe a spider made a home in the line before it was installed, anything can happen. BUT, if you get fluid at the calipers, check to see if they are frozen up. If they are not I would bleed the rears again. Can't hurt right? Probably would'nt hurt to slow down before the light as well.

 

[mccoyxx]

yeah I know heehhehe ... I slow down sooner now .. I just got the Explorer not long ago ... it was a trial and error deal ... anyways the ABS is working because it goes RRRRRRr an won't lock up on dry roads ... it slides in the mud in front of my garage though thats how i know the back ones don't work ... no slide marks in the mud ... anyways will try to check all of that soon .... thanks ... RSM