FIX YOUR MUSHY BRAKES

[RedlandRanger]

Maybe a stupid question but is it possible to perform this procedure through the forscan lite app?
looks like the obd link Mx+ Is my best option with using iOS but can only use the Lite app. Just want to make sure I’m getting the right stuff before I pull the trigger. Thanks for any help I can’t wait to try to procedure as my brakes have felt awful since day one

I"m almost positive the lite version is a read only version - you can't do any updates or modifications with it.

Looking a this table: https://forscan.org/comparsion.html

I could be wrong - it depends on what is considered a "most dangerous" service function.

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[seanellaz]

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.

Completely stoked about this. If it was not so late I'd do it now. Mushy pedal does not drive me nuts but it is kind of weird. Will have to wait until tomorrow. Thanks for sharing the very helpful info!

 

[jmonti007]

I'll add my experience here as well. 2020 Lariat 4x4, did the procedure last night. It absolutely helped firm up the pedal. Did it make them work like my 2019 mustang GT brakes? No of course not. But I think if you temper your expectations a bit you'll be very glad you did this. Far less mushy now. what I would consider a nice standard feeing pedal given the fact this truck has all the collision avoidance stuff in there.
My wife drove it to work this morning is very happy with the results.

 

[Fitzmotor]

I am especially glad I did it last week as I had to tow a trailer 500 miles and the new and improved brake pedal really got put to the test, really hard, the very first thing I thought was "I'm so glad I fixed the poor brakes before this trip"

Also, anybody else notice that the truck goes into antilock easier after performing the procedure? mine almost never activated the ABS in 3500 miles, now I have heard it multiple times since the procedure, (not just the panic stop mentioned above) and that's been about 600 miles.

Maybe I'm braking harder now that I have a pedal?

 

[RedlyrsRevenge]

Just did this today, super easy process. Was not expecting the horrible noise however, but once i reset the ABS module all my dash lights were off. Can't believe something so simple fixed the worst thing about our trucks...would love to know how this made it out of the factory like this...

The ABS module noise was a little terrifying.
Just did mine and WOW what a difference.

 

[janitorjim]

I am especially glad I did it last week as I had to tow a trailer 500 miles and the new and improved brake pedal really got put to the test, really hard, the very first thing I thought was "I'm so glad I fixed the poor brakes before this trip"

Also, anybody else notice that the truck goes into antilock easier after performing the procedure? mine almost never activated the ABS in 3500 miles, now I have heard it multiple times since the procedure, (not just the panic stop mentioned above) and that's been about 600 miles.

Maybe I'm braking harder now that I have a pedal?

might be just muscle memory and you are still expecting to have the brake pedal go further which now means you are braking harder

 

[troutspinner]

I received my Vgate Vlinker today. No issues getting it up and running with Crossover on my Mac M1. I did a couple of the typical changes (fogs, splash screen) to make sure I fully understood the process and then did the ABS bleed. Wow! Night and Day difference. It feels like a typical truck now, which is great!

 

[janitorjim]

you all do know that this is a way for Trevor to one day take remote control of our rangers and do some kind of stephen king Maximum Overdrive type thing

 

[y2krtaf]

you all do know that this is a way for Trevor to one day take remote control of our rangers and do some kind of stephen king Maximum Overdrive type thing

Meet yinz at the diner!!!

 

[SVTPaul]

How have I missed this thread up to now?? I took delivery of my '21 in June without even test driving one first. The VERY first thing I noticed when pulling out of the dealership's lot was how soft the brake pedal felt. After testing a panic stop to make sure the thing stops, I just figured it was the nature of the Ranger (to my disappointment).
Thanks to the OP and to you all for making this a popular forum topic!! I will be doing this today, and if successful I'm sure my entire family will be thankful because anytime we go out in my wife's Merc I nearly put us all through the dash at the first stop sign. That's when it really becomes obvious what I've gotten used to in the Ranger.

 

[JaysOnTheEDGE]

Ran the abs purge procedure today, seemed to help a little bit pedal seems a little firmer now , I'm at 32k miles so I may need brakes soon and that could be part of it as well.

 

[Frenchy]

Ran the abs purge procedure today, seemed to help a little bit pedal seems a little firmer now , I'm at 32k miles so I may need brakes soon and that could be part of it as well.

Lol unless you were riding brakes all the time chances are you will be fine. I have close to 50,000 miles and when I was at 35,000 my brakes looked like they were new!!

 

[mrtimo]

Well…I ran this procedure yesterday…honestly not convinced it amounted to a big deal of a change, but perhaps I need a bit more driving (and braking) to get a better feel for it.

That said, easy to do and, yes, when it first starts up the noise will make you jump

 

[AdamHarris]

Seems like those of us with questionable brakes to begin with feel the change after performing this bleed. Those who have no complaints about their brakes possibly had this performed before the truck even left the factory. Who knows. It made a distinct difference in my pedal firmness. Very little discernible difference in the brakes going from my wife’s vehicle to my ranger now.

 

[FoD]

lol, yeah ok.

As everyone else has said…..this works!!! Much improved. Just have to relearn how to brake now! Lol

I guess my only thoughts on this are that:

Yeah, the brakes were different from my 2005 GMC, but that was expected and I re-learned how to drive with what they are. Have had no issues because I never learned to run up to stops at speed and "look" like I was not going to stop or nose dive into road plowing...which seems to be the norm with smaller vehicles & covid brain. Not pumped brakes to firm pedal or used the emergency brake trick, just off the gas a tad sooner and roll into to stop.

Had a few "puckers" from CALi driving highway speeds (limit +20++++ maybe), but the systems did their thing...2019 XLT with tune btw.

As far as the FORSCAN goes, using the recommended cable and licensed software, following good examples, never an issue.

Have not had the 65 degree incline though...

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