FIX YOUR MUSHY BRAKES

[commbubba19]

Found this on FB and Youtube.

Credit Trevor Farid on 2019+ Ford Ranger Owners and Youtube Xerowerx



I went through this as my '20 was always soft and sure enough the pedal is much improved.

In Forscan, choose this icon:

Then select ABS Service Bleed

When prompted for what you did, just say Brake fluid.

Follow the prompts and you will hear your ABS go nuts. It will do this twice prompting you before each service run through the system does.

If you have any DTC's after, do this

That's it. Disconnet your Forscan from your truck and go for a test drive. Mush brakes gone.

You do not have to have an eval license to complete this service. However I would recommend always getting an eval license before doing any Forscan work just to cya.

Hope this helps. This was one of my big pet peeves for this truck. I feel so much better now.

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[dondonbabyraptor]

Interesting. I don’t have a problem with the brakes and actually like them as it lets me ease into my final stop and it’s seamless no abruptness. This looks like a great solution for those that don’t like the mushy feeling though. Good find.

 

[Frenchy]

It shouldn't what so ever. The braking for Pre-collision is a system that work all on its own.

 

[jblc]

What does this process do physically? (ie the pumping sounds)

 

[Frenchy]

What does this process do physically? (ie the pumping sounds)

Essentially it bleeds the abs system without having to open the hydraulics.

 

[f1loco]

Subscribed

 

[Frio]

Curiosity triggered

 

[f1loco]

What I can't figure out if this is bc air is still in the ABS modules from factory, by not actually opening hydraulics on the bleed procedure, wouldn't it just push the air into the lines and create additional pressures in the lines? There has to be a mechanical explanation why this seemingly helps with the soft brake issue.

 

[T Bone]

Watching

 

[commbubba19]

Interesting. I don’t have a problem with the brakes and actually like them as it lets me ease into my final stop and it’s seamless no abruptness. This looks like a great solution for those that don’t like the mushy feeling though. Good find.

I hear ya. I got used to the soft pedal before, but it never inspired confidence. I still have plenty of ability to modulate after doing the above Forscan service.

What I can't figure out if this is bc air is still in the ABS modules from factory, by not actually opening hydraulics on the bleed procedure, wouldn't it just push the air into the lines and create additional pressures in the lines? There has to be a mechanical explanation why this seemingly helps with the soft brake issue.

In the video, Trevor explained that the ABS priming process is to be done any time brake work is performed. In his other example, he swapped calipers on his late model Mustang. Even after fully bleeding the system the pedal was still soft until he performed the above procedure.

My assumption is possibly when our trucks are on the assembly line, a step is being missed possibly and the ABS system isn't primed correctly.

By all means, if anything, this is great info to take to a dealer and have them do it the 'right' way and document it. The more warranty tickets for this issue, the more likely Ford will create a legitimate TSB for the soft brake pedal.

 

[Zvedza]

Saw this on that group too, but appreciate the excellent write up and making sure what i got from the vid also matched up to yours.

Still puzzled why it has a mushy brake even compared to other similar ford vehicles too. I drove a Ford Edge and that thing was insanely touchy on the brakes, just a toe on it would slam them down.

I recall people changing brakes and bleeding it themselves and still having the issue. Just wondering if this IS intentional and possibly doing this may have some side effect?

I hope it doesnt cause i personally hate it, drove my Lightning for a weekend cruise and while that thing doesnt exactly have brembos on it, the instant response of the brakes caught me off guard in the driveway lol.

Also i notice my 2016 zx10r also has a similar mushy brake lever compared to other bikes, guess thats a good thing as that thing stops extremely well even with it

 

[jblc]

Essentially it bleeds the abs system without having to open the hydraulics.

Hmmm...I don't understand. How can it be bled without opening the hydraulics, eg to let out air? Doesn't this just move fluid around? If so, how can that be beneficial?
I'm still confused on how this actually works...and whether it's a long-term fix, or something temporary related to moving fluid around.

 

[commbubba19]

Hmmm...I don't understand. How can it be bled without opening the hydraulics, eg to let out air? Doesn't this just move fluid around? If so, how can that be beneficial?
I'm still confused on how this actually works...and whether it's a long-term fix, or something temporary related to moving fluid around.

Older ABS systems you could manually bleed. I’m not sure if newer style can self bleed or still require to be bled manually.

so far I’ve put 200 miles on my truck and my firm pedal is still there.

much nicer at stop lights where i used to catch myself creeping forward.

 

[f1loco]

Found this blurb on a brake website - maybe this is "all it takes" to make our Rangers throw us through the windshields but why wouldn't FORD issue a TSB if it is as simple as this -

The majority of ABS modulators not equipped with bleeders will require cycling of the valves and activation of the pump to bleed out these “hidden” areas. For example, the Ford version of the EBC310 requires the “bleed function” to be performed through the NGS scan tool (See Figure 6). This function cycles each of the dump valves and then energizes the pump to bleed these hidden areas.​

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[briwill70]

WOW! so glad I saw this. Brakes were one of my top 5 issues with this truck. Mushy and inconsistent. Just ran the procedure with Forscan and like magic the brakes are firmer and more consistent.

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