Any "fix" for the squishy brakes?

[redraidereat]

So, I've had my Ranger for a bit over a month now. I knew from all the reviews that the brakes were "squishy". It wasn't enough to deter me and I'm already used to it. However, after getting to drive my parent's new F-350 over the weekend, I can't help but wish the brakes on the Ranger were tighter.

So I'm curious, has anyone found a way to fix or even just somewhat alleviate the soft brakes? Is it something as simple as a flush or more extensive like replacing the calipers or even the entire system?

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[u wish u could ride]

6 months 8500 miles here, and I used to think they where mushy also. now they feel if not good, normal. crazy right .

 

[redraidereat]

6 months 8500 miles here, and I used to think they where mushy also. now they feel if not good, normal. crazy right .

But do they feel the same as when you first got it or is it just that you've gotten used to it like me?

 

[u wish u could ride]

But do they feel the same as when you first got it or is it just that you've gotten used to it like me?

I think used to it but I really don't know lol!!

 

[redraidereat]

the fix is to go out and do a stopping distance check.
take the F350 out, 60-0, and have your sister/mother/best friend stand there, then do the same with the Ranger

then stop worrying about "squishy brakes" the proof is in the pudding so to speak.

It's not the stopping power that I doubt. I had someone merge into my lane on the highway a couple weeks ago. Hit them hard enough to send what I had on the back seat to the floor.

What I'd like to see improved is the how quick they respond. I get what you're getting at. A bigger truck needs to be more responsive. However, even my girlfriend's little Mazda CX-5 has tighter brakes.

 

[Zaph]

As someone who has bled ABS brakes I can't help but think the Ranger has air in the line somewhere. But considering they are all like that it must be an unsolvable design issue.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

It's not the stopping power that I doubt. I had someone merge into my lane on the highway a couple weeks ago. Hit them hard enough to send what I had on the back seat to the floor.

What I'd like to see improved is the how quick they respond. I get what you're getting at. A bigger truck needs to be more responsive. However, even my girlfriend's little Mazda CX-5 has tighter brakes.

Hi Eric,

This was covered in several threads..

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/possible-brake-issue.3450/#post-48401

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[RCMUSTANG]

I documented installing a big brake kit up front and the mushy pedal feel is gone in my build thread. It feels less mushy, engages higher up, is consistent and of course stops even better.

 

[Floyd]

So, I've had my Ranger for a bit over a month now. I knew from all the reviews that the brakes were "squishy". It wasn't enough to deter me and I'm already used to it. However, after getting to drive my parent's new F-350 over the weekend, I can't help but wish the brakes on the Ranger were tighter.

So I'm curious, has anyone found a way to fix or even just somewhat alleviate the soft brakes? Is it something as simple as a flush or more extensive like replacing the calipers or even the entire system?

I presently drive 3 different Vehicles with three different sets of driving characteristics.
No problem adapting to each.
My wife gets nervous about driving anything other that the one car she is familiar with.
There is nothing wrong with the brakes on your Ranger, They are consistent and predictable.
You just have a learning curve.

I'm not wild about the designed in electronic driving interference, but it is predictable and easy enough to get used to.
On my Mustang, the habit is to brake late , brake hard and brake seldom.
On the Ranger, the ghost in the machine (electronic nannies) simply REQUIRE a new approach.
This truck likes smooth and light pedal pressure.

 

[redraidereat]

Hi Eric,

This was covered in several threads..

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/possible-brake-issue.3450/#post-48401

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Aha! Thanks Phil! I looked through all 8 pages of threads in here and just have missed this one (searching didn't turn up anything either). I'll give it a read over lunch.

I documented installing a big brake kit up front and the mushy pedal feel is gone in my build thread. It feels less mushy, engages higher up, is consistent and of course stops even better.

Thanks for the info! I'll look it up.

There is nothing wrong with the brakes on your Ranger, They are consistent and predictable.
You just have a learning curve.

Oh definitely. I'm not saying they aren't working. Like I mentioned at the beginning, I'm already used to the feel. It's just a question of is it possible to change the feel.

 

[Hounddog409]

As someone who has bled ABS brakes I can't help but think the Ranger has air in the line somewhere. But considering they are all like that it must be an unsolvable design issue.

Cant say all. I Have no issue with "mushy" brakes

 

[FX4Offroad]

My wife hates when I drive her Escape. The first 1 or 2 brakes nearly put her thru the windshield. I get yelled at and I do better.

Now I do it on purpose. Kind of fun to piss her off once in a while. Lol

Still happily married...go figure.

 

[joeb427]

Stainless steel brake lines change?

 

[Zaph]

My wife hates when I drive her Escape. The first 1 or 2 brakes nearly put her thru the windshield. I get yelled at and I do better.

My wife has an escape too. Used to be mine. Same thing, super firm. She's driven my truck a couple times and she says "what the hell, I have to put my foot all the way to the floor before something happens."

Stainless steel brake lines change?

On my lower end race bike conversions (like a Ninja 300) stainless steel lines make a huge difference in braking feel. It's one of my first mods if the bike doesn't have stainless lines from the factory. Of course it's even better when I rip out the ABS circuit and solenoid, shortening the brake line path by 100%.

In vehicles though, the soft portion of the line are really only the portions that have to flex down by the wheels. So I'm not sure how much improvement there would be to replace that section. I've never done it to a truck. Anyone?

 

[THLONE]

Lots of people have mushy legs, shoes, and feelings. I remember the old dodge aries 4 cyl, that when first started cold the vac booster took quite a while to start working and people said that the brakes went to the floor. Actually the brakes didnt go to the floor they just didnt have any boost and felt hard. This was during the time when the savior Lee Iacocca was saving chrysler with a government loan so no recall was done because the loan would then default and chrysler would be gone.

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