FIX YOUR MUSHY BRAKES

[AdamHarris]

Adam, did you do the forescan ABS procedure yesterday also before bleeding, or just the physical bleeding?

Thanks

No I didn’t do the forscan procedure again right before doung the physical bleed. I just did the forescan ABS bleed once around six months ago.

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[teookie]

I assume this brake fluid will work?

 

[Langwilliams]

I still haven't done this. I'm so used to the brakes it's not a big deal. Yesterday I did a food run for a group of friends. My truck had 3 cars behind it in the driveway an my buddy's kid was on the street so I took his escape. I almost threw myself out of the seat on the first stop.

 

[t4thfavor]

I assume this brake fluid will work?

I literally used this yesterday when I bled the brakes. It was almost identical to what came out other than the stuff coming out was a little darker. Same thickness and everything. Also this is what autozones website says is for the 2019+ Ranger so there’s also that.

 

[teookie]

I literally used this yesterday when I bled the brakes. It was almost identical to what came out other than the stuff coming out was a little darker. Same thickness and everything. Also this is what autozones website says is for the 2019+ Ranger so there’s also that.

How did your brakes feel after bleeding? Did you see any bubbles come out? Have you done the ABS bleed with FORSCAN? How much of the OEM fluid did you bleed out?

I bleeded about 1/4 cup from each brake, didn't see any bubbles, and brake feel did not improve. I will try the ABS bleed with FORSCAN in a few days when my adapter gets here.

 

[t4thfavor]

How did your brakes feel after bleeding? Did you see any bubbles come out? Have you done the ABS bleed with FORSCAN? How much of the OEM fluid did you bleed out?

I bleeded about 1/4 cup from each brake, didn't see any bubbles, and brake feel did not improve. I will try the ABS bleed with FORSCAN in a few days when my adapter gets here.

I did the abs bleed earlier in the week without opening the bleeders. I did see very micro sized bubbles dissolved in the fluid and possibly a bigger bubble (which could have been in the bleeder line). The brakes improved, but not to the level I expected. I took maybe half a cup out overall.

 

[teookie]

I just did the FORSCAN ABS brake service.

I pressurized the brake system to 20 psi and opened the blead screws when prompted.
I did the front axle first as directed by forscan. (this is strange, but whatever)
Ran the front axle FORSCAN service and the ABS pushed out enough fluid to drop the reservoir from MAX to just below MIN.
I topped off the reservoir with fresh fluid.
Then I ran the rear axle. ABS pushed out from MAX to MIN again.
I topped of the reservoir.
Service complete. I did not get any warning lights on my dash.

Driving impressions: Brakes feel firmer. Not as much as I was expecting based on other testimonials in this thread, and nowhere near as firm as brakes in my Focus ST, but there is noticeable improvement. So far I've only driven around the block, so I'll add more impressions if warranted after a longer drive.

 

[Steven D Tipton]

I just did the FORSCAN ABS brake service.

I pressurized the brake system to 20 psi and opened the blead screws when prompted.
I did the front axle first as directed by forscan. (this is strange, but whatever)
Ran the front axle FORSCAN service and the ABS pushed out enough fluid to drop the reservoir from MAX to just below MIN.
I topped off the reservoir with fresh fluid.
Then I ran the rear axle. ABS pushed out from MAX to MIN again.
I topped of the reservoir.
Service complete. I did not get any warning lights on my dash.

Driving impressions: Brakes feel firmer. Not as much as I was expecting based on other testimonials in this thread, and nowhere near as firm as brakes in my Focus ST, but there is noticeable improvement. So far I've only driven around the block, so I'll add more impressions if warranted after a longer drive.

How much Fluid did you push through the system in Qts? I'm asking, Because I kind of understand what you did but doesn't seem like the procedure I recommended.

I recommend, ABS is bleed, air out of module. So don't do that again. Start at Pass Rear, Driver Rear, Pass Front and finally Drivers Front and only do a regular bleed now. Use a clear tube and some kind of bottle filled with brake fluid enough to submerge the end of the hose in bottle and of course other end to bleeder. Foot pump brake pedal, till you get a clear flow through tube( no Bubbles). Do each wheel that way. Me personally, What you listed you did, if I'm understanding correctly. You circulated the air from module into main lines but didn't flush enough through the main system. I run a good amount of fluid, I split a quart between all 4 wheels. That's me. Then I know it completed right.

 

[teookie]

I flushed a whole quart through. It's possible there are still bubbles in the lines somewhere, but I kinda doubt it. I did a regular bleed like you described last week before I got the FORSCAN usb cable thingy. It is curious that FORSCAN asks you to do the front axle first - I wonder why that is.

 

[got3fords]

Ok I did the foreskin ABS bleed procedure probably six months ago. Yes it helped but slowly my brakes kind of went back to being wish again. Yesterday, after waiting for the proper brake fluid to finally come in, I got under there and actually bleed the brakes. Guys I probably get 60 bubbles or more out of this brake system total and now they are finally feeling like they should !!!

Is this a two-person job? 60 bubbles total or each wheel?

 

[AdamHarris]

Is this a two-person job? 60 bubbles total or each wheel?

Yes having a second person to manipulate the brake pedal is a must. 60 bubbles total (roughly 15 per wheel, was pretty even among all 4 wheels it seemed).

 

[AdamHarris]

I flushed a whole quart through. It's possible there are still bubbles in the lines somewhere, but I kinda doubt it. I did a regular bleed like you described last week before I got the FORSCAN usb cable thingy. It is curious that FORSCAN asks you to do the front axle first - I wonder why that is.

I literally have no idea what you are talking about. Forscan did not ask me to pressurize anything or open any bleed screws or begin with the front axle. It just did its thing very loudly, 2 rounds of loud. Months later I did the manual system bleed procedure where someone is on the brake pedal while you are under the truck starting at the most distant caliper with your bottle of clean fluid and a 3/8s hose etc. Did you use a tool or machine to "pressurize the system to 20 psi" or what?

 

[t4thfavor]

I flushed a whole quart through. It's possible there are still bubbles in the lines somewhere, but I kinda doubt it. I did a regular bleed like you described last week before I got the FORSCAN usb cable thingy. It is curious that FORSCAN asks you to do the front axle first - I wonder why that is.

Because the process was written by engineers, and not mechanics...

 

[Porpoise Hork]

I just did the FORSCAN ABS brake service.

I pressurized the brake system to 20 psi and opened the blead screws when prompted.
I did the front axle first as directed by forscan. (this is strange, but whatever)
Ran the front axle FORSCAN service and the ABS pushed out enough fluid to drop the reservoir from MAX to just below MIN.
I topped off the reservoir with fresh fluid.
Then I ran the rear axle. ABS pushed out from MAX to MIN again.
I topped of the reservoir.
Service complete. I did not get any warning lights on my dash.

Driving impressions: Brakes feel firmer. Not as much as I was expecting based on other testimonials in this thread, and nowhere near as firm as brakes in my Focus ST, but there is noticeable improvement. So far I've only driven around the block, so I'll add more impressions if warranted after a longer drive.

You can also adjust the pedal engagement height a fair bit by adjusting the threaded brake pedal rod under the dash. Only takes a couple minutes with a wrench and pair of pliers. I did this on mine before the ABS bleed procedure was discovered. After doing both the brake pedal feel is nearly identical to that in the F150's. That with a high engagement point about equal to the gas pedal and very firm pedal. Last time I took it in to the dealer for service they commented that mine had the best feeling brakes of any ranger they had driven.

If you decide to adjust the rod length, be extremely careful as it will cause the brakes to drag if you go too far. Drive it around town for a good 20 or so minutes to get the brakes good and hot then take a baseline temp reading of the rotors and calipers with an infrared temp meter. Make smaller adjustments to the rod increasing the length, test the pedal feel and then test drive again for 20+ minutes and recheck temps. Repeat until the pedal engagement point is where you want it and no change in rotor/caliper temps are observed. At any point if you see an increase in temps back off on the rod length a couple threads and lock it down.

 

[Steven D Tipton]

I flushed a whole quart through. It's possible there are still bubbles in the lines somewhere, but I kinda doubt it. I did a regular bleed like you described last week before I got the FORSCAN usb cable thingy. It is curious that FORSCAN asks you to do the front axle first - I wonder why that is.

Doing the ABS bleed after the regular bleed is pointless unless you redo bleed normal lines. The point of abs bleed is to push air out of module. Air goes into your lines and you bleed air out of the system.. I have done 6 of these now. Not pointless at all. Just needs to be done correctly.

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