Dear Aftermarket, Improve the Brake Pedal, Please!

[Leftcoast]

When some paid over 40k for their truck, id expect pedal feel to not have so much travel before engagement. Does not have to be a racecar to expect that. Ppl that try to rationalize all the flaws of the Ranger are why Ford can continue to half ass some of these things

Didn't any of you complainers test drive your trucks before purchase?

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[SilverSlugger]

All of you arguing... At the end of the day, Ford dropped the ball and the brake feel is bad. Its up to the consumer to fix it or take it in to Ford for the TSB.

For everyone saying its not a big deal... You must just put up with things you don't like, some of us like things the way they should work.

 

[XLT and me]

Didn't any of you complainers test drive your trucks before purchase?

Commenting on a factual observation is not complaining. Some people hate it when their sacred cow gets criticized. The truck i bought was identical to the one i test drove. Who knew the brakes differed that much truck to truck? To be honest the only reason i bought it was it was a good deal and i needed a new truck asap. Always owned Fords and never had any reason to think it wouldn't drive like a Ford. My mistake. I will keep it a few years and off it goes. The things i like about it are outweighed by too many things i really dislike after owning it for over a year. Things that you only find out about after driving it for an extended period. Nobody is saying you have to dislike your brakes, so please don't try and say those of us who find ours less than good, wrong. Thanks

 

[Leftcoast]

All of you arguing... At the end of the day, Ford dropped the ball and the brake feel is bad. Its up to the consumer to fix it or take it in to Ford for the TSB.

For everyone saying its not a big deal... You must just put up with things you don't like, some of us like things the way they should work.

Nothing is ever going to be perfect. Why should I lose any sleep over imperfection? It's a fools errand.

 

[Leftcoast]

Commenting on a factual observation is not complaining. Some people hate it when their sacred cow gets criticized. The truck i bought was identical to the one i test drove. Who knew the brakes differed that much truck to truck? To be honest the only reason i bought it was it was a good deal and i needed a new truck asap. Always owned Fords and never had any reason to think it wouldn't drive like a Ford. My mistake. I will keep it a few years and off it goes. The things i like about it are outweighed by too many things i really dislike after owning it for over a year. Things that you only find out about after driving it for an extended period. Nobody is saying you have to dislike your brakes, so please don't try and say those of us who find ours less than good, wrong. Thanks

I test drove a Ranger then had a specific Ranger shipped to the dealer. I test drove that one too. Why in the world would buy a vehicle without a test drive is beyond me. There could be rattles, transmission issues, etc. etc. I hope you've learned you lesson.

 

[SilverSlugger]

Nothing is ever going to be perfect. Why should I lose any sleep over imperfection? It's a fools errand.

A bad brake feel is much more than a simple imperfection. The main function of a vehicle is to GO and STOP. You are the true fool to think otherwise.

 

[ksuds49]

Coming from a 2005 Rover to a 2021 Ranger, I honestly don’t view the brakes as an issue. They seem fine to me. My wife’s 2015 f150 brakes are very touchy. My daughter’s 2002 F150 brakes are a bit soft. My other daughter’s 2007 Jetta brakes seem comparable to the Rover and Ranger.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Didn't any of you complainers test drive your trucks before purchase?

As a matter of fact I test drove a couple of different Rangers before making the purchase. The pedal did not feel all that much different than my MKV GTi, and the trucks all stopped very well so it didn't raise any warning flags. It wasn't until I took it in a few days later to have the windows tinted and a couple other things done as part of the sale agreement and they gave me an F150 loaner did the brake pedal travel catch my attention. From there I tried to resolve it by de-glazing and bedding in the brakes which helped, but ultimately took it in for service. They pressure bled the brakes and since then the brakes have been very good with no issues. Not quite the same as the f150's pedal feel but very close to it.

 

[DRVMN]

There is a Service Bulletin on this topic (should be able to find it if you do a search). The Service Bulletin address this concern. I have an appointment next week to have my 2021 Ranger looked at for this same reason. Sounds like the problem is air in the system that needs to be bled out. I will post my results next week after I have my Ranger serviced. The first pedal travel is long and "spongy" and then the second pump, third pump, etc. are fine. Others have said bleeding the brakes seems to be the cure.

 

[tfisher15]

There is a Service Bulletin on this topic (should be able to find it if you do a search). The Service Bulletin address this concern. I have an appointment next week to have my 2021 Ranger looked at for this same reason. Sounds like the problem is air in the system that needs to be bled out. I will post my results next week after I have my Ranger serviced. The first pedal travel is long and "spongy" and then the second pump, third pump, etc. are fine. Others have said bleeding the brakes seems to be the cure.

I had the same issue on my 2020 XLT but bleeding the brakes did not help. I hope it goes better for you.

 

[AdamHarris]

Sounds like you’re brake pedal rod needs to be adjusted like mine did. Look up my thread “brake pedal adjustment.”

 

[TremorOwner]

Just disable auto stop/start with forscan or one of the eliminator kits out on the market. This was the first mod I did to mine. Drove it home and ordered one the same day.

I need as much gas savings as possible.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Sounds like you’re brake pedal rod needs to be adjusted like mine did. Look up my thread “brake pedal adjustment.”

So I adjusted the pedal rod on mine today and the combination of it and having the brakes bled solved the issue with the excessive pedal travel and underlying softness. I absolutely recommend doing both the pressure bleed and rod adjustment. If the dealer won't do it then take it to a competent shop and pay to have them pressure bleed the system. You will be amazed at how much better the brakes are.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/brake-pedal-adjustment.12283/

My update in there.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/brake-pedal-adjustment.12283/page-2#post-265546

Just be sure to wear your seatbelt when testing...

 

[RCMUSTANG]

Isn't there an issue with the brake switch by messing with the pedal rod?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Isn't there an issue with the brake switch by messing with the pedal rod?

Reading the tech bulletin on it and it looks that one only needs to disconnect the switch if the pedal rest position or booster is being removed. Neither are done here. As @AdamHarris stated this only changes the position of the booster rod that's threaded into the bracket. The result is increased actuation on the master cylinder piston itself resulting in faster engagement. Thus a firmer pedal that engages sooner.

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