Help: my brakes are sticking shut!!!

[Hawken]

Hello All

I would greatly appreciate any and all advice or thoughts on my brake situation. My brakes in the last several weeks seems to be staying somewhat closed after I take my foot of the pedal and step on the gas. There is a strange rubbing/low pitch squaking noise from what I think is the rear wheels. This noise only happens after I stop ,such as at a light and goes away when I step on the brake again. It seems to happpen more if I slowly apply the brake than when I brake heavily. I had my dealer check on the brakes when I took it for an inspection and he said the pads were fine. Any idea what this could be?? I was able to get the noise to stop ojnce by lifting the brake pedal with my foot. I carried a few heavy loads of tile and joint compund since I am in the middle of remodling my home. Could that have caused the problem? I am thinking of going to a local Meineke in my area to have them try and fix the problem.

My truckis a 2001 XLT SOHC V6 with only 6800 miles on it. I am concerned that this 'brake friction' may be stressing the engine or tranny.

Any and all ideas are greatly appreciated

Thanks much

Joe

aka Hawken

 

[Robert]

One thing that will cause you calipers to stick closed is dirty slide pins. Try lubricating them. In my '97 service booklet they should be lubricated either every oil change or every other (I can't remember which). Mine don't need it quite that often though. I do mine about every 30K once I notice the brake moan that is caused by the calipers sticking closed.

 

[Hawken]

Robert:

Thanks for the advice. Is this something that a novice can do? If yes, could you please tell me how?

Thanks again for all of your help with my problem.

Joe

 

[AgExplorer]

With only 6800 miles on a 2001 X, you should be under warranty and Ford should fix it.

 

[Robert]

Agreed that since you are under warranty, Ford should fix it if there is something wrong. If it turns out to just be dirty slide pins then they will charge your for lubricating them since they are routine maintenance, just like an oil change.

Lubricating them is easy if you can change the pads. Remove the two bolts that hold the two caliper halves together. The bolts you pull out are the slide pins. Clean all of the old grease and dirt from the hole that the pinst went into and clean the pins also. Smear new "disc brake caliper slide lube" on the pins and into the holes that the pins go into. Put it back together. I doubt though that with only 6800 miles that that is your problem. Look in your guide that tells you the maintenance intervals. If it is time to lubricate the slide pins per your booklet, you might as well do it or have someone else do it. If Ford does it for you they will charge you.