Brakes!

[shakenbake75]

My explorer recently has been having a little bit of dificulty while stopping. I was driving a few weeks ago and noticed there was a little more tension when pushing the brake pedal to stop than usual. within about a week it feels like its not as hard to stop, however, it is still a little more difficult than it used to. On top of that, when ever I am taking a left into a parking space, it seems like the brakes seem to stutter a little bit. It still brakes exactly as it should, but this light stutter is freaking me out. the same thing happened about six months ago, and a few days later when I was driving on the freeway, my brake light came on, brakes totally went out, and I had to use the emergency brake while dodging cars to get to the emergency lane. I nursed it home(being a college student Tow trucks are a bit too expensive) and when I got home put it on the hydrolic jack to examine the brakes. In doing so my whole right wheel and tire fell off(dont ask how I got home alive). It turned out the brake rotar had borken/melted in a cirle so it was no longer holding the tire and was only being supported by the spindle. $2500 later it was fixed but now I fear the same thing or something similiar is happening. I've inspected the rotars and brake pads, and they look great(were just replaced after the first occurence 6months ago). A friend who is a ford mechanic suggested that it is probably the brake booster but not sure? Appreciate any suggestions or input, Thanks!

2001 Explorer sport V6 4.0
Automatic tranny, 2wd
8" lift in the front 6" in the back
35" tires

 

[GTexplorer]

8" lift in the front 6" in the back
35" tires

8'' of lift an 35's on ifs? id start there. how did u lift it? spindles then TT and a bl?

 

[trj360]

That is a ton of lift, maybe something is wrong with your extended brake lines...? Assuming you did them? But you say your brakes were melted...:scratch:

 

[GTexplorer]

are u still using stock brake componets?

 

[shakenbake75]

I purchased the vehicle already lifted nearly two years ago from a private seller. With purchase came the receipts for all the work on the truck, including receipts from the lift that was originally installed. The original owner had all of the work done in San Diego, and I live in Arizona. According to the receipt, the information is farely generic, however it states there was a purchase of after market Spindles, Suspension Leaf(not sure what that is?) and new suspension. The guy I purchased the vehicle from also said that the original lift was 6in in the front and 4in in the back, so he added an additional 2in body lift on both ends to fit the 35in tires. I'm the guy that simply drives the vehicle around, don't know much about how to fix/diagnose. On a side note I took a look at the tires and shocks today. A few weeks ago the tires felt and appeared to be low so I filled them to the appropriate pressure(35psi) at the gas station. I checked the pressure this morning and they were all over inflated by around 5 to 10psi. The gage at the station must have been off. Would this effect the braking? I also examined the shocks and the front looks good, however, the rear shocks appear to be very weathered(look as if they've leaked fluid). Could this effect the braking as well? Seeing as they appear as if they need to be replaced, any suggestions on what shocks I should go for with the replacement? Do I need to get a specific type due to the lift? Thank you for all the responses, Greatly Appreciated!

 

[shakenbake75]

p.s. yes, When I recently replaced all the rotors and shoes, the items that I purchased were stock and fit perfectly.

 

[volver]

melted brake rotor? Only on the one wheel?

If the one brake locked up this could cause the problem. I don't know if there would be enough heat to melt the brake though.

it must have been pulling to one side. didn't you notice any thing other than a sound.

 

[shakenbake75]

Absolutely nothing. There was no indication that the breaks were going out, it drove the same, stopped the same, no squeeking, no signs what so ever. Unfortunately, that fuels anxiety when driving, I acknowledge that there were no symptoms before so am always on guard when anything doesnt feel right.