my brakes have been steadily becoming more of a PITA lately.

i will lightly touch the pedal to slow down but my brakes react as if i slammed on the pedal and they squeak...alot

i figure the calipers are sticking...

anyone else want to help me ponder on this idea?

Branson is just 3 days away and i can't handle brake failure right now

 

yoru calipers are sticking... did you try taking them off and pushing the brake pistons back in? bleed it.. etc
when i put my new brakes in i had to push the pistons back a half inch becuase my old brakes were shot... and a brake spanner tool didnt do the job, i had to put the old pad in and use a huge c clamp to get my piston pushed back

 

the booster could be on its way out, it is venting to much air into the atmosphere side when you step on the brake

 

thats what i've thought about doing.....i had to push the pistons back in when i did my brakes a few months ago

i'm starting to wonder if i didn't bleed all the air out of the system...it doesn't take much to F*** up everything

 

time to bleed your brakes

 

I had the same issue on my 1995 model. Had to replace the brake line, the rubber one from the caliper. Over time they will swell and not release like they should.

 

i'll check everything wednesday.....and from my to-do list
i probably won't be getting any sleep these next few days

 

My Ranger does that too... but only after there's been a HEAVY rainfall. All I need to do is speed up and hit the brakes. it doesn't lock 'em up, but it seems like it releases the pressure or something. THen it's back to normal.

 

your like me, trying to get all those last minute touches done before rolling out to Branson!

 

THATS EXACLTY WHAT IT DOES!!

its been raining all day and thats only when i notice it

 

thats normal ranger brake grab then, they have a TSB issued on them for it

 

I doubt entrapped air would cause sensitive/touchy brakes. The symptoms of air in the system is more of a spongy pedal with little braking action short of pushing the pedal further and harder than normal. I believe if you take off the rear drums you'll find your problem. That of rusted drums and or hardware. If you still have lots of lining left, you could try sanding the drums and backing plates to remove the rust along with sanding the face of the linings to brake the glaze/impregnated rust and freeing up and lubricating the hardware. Otherwise, I would recommend turning the drums and replacing the shoes along with any problematic hardware.

 

i know old thread but i think i got some good info on this problem that seems pretty common on ford rangers. here it is!

ISSUE:
A grabbing and/or sticking condition during the first few brake applications when the brakes are cold or in the morning after an overnight rain may occur on some vehicles. This may be caused by rear brake lining material that is sensitive to humidity.

ACTION:
Install new design rear brake linings that are made from material that is less sensitive to humidity. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Remove the rear brake shoes. Refer to the appropriate Explorer/Ranger Service Manual, Section 06-02, for removal procedure.

2. Clean the brake assembly and drums.

3. Install new rear brake shoe and lining assemblies per the Parts Block. Refer to the Service Manual, Section 06-02, for installation procedure.

4. Adjust the brakes according to the Service Manual.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

F77Z-2200-AA Brake Kit (1995-97, 9" Drum)
F77Z-2200-BA Brake Kit (1995-97, 10" Drum)
F77Z-2200-CA Brake Kit (1983-94, 9" Drum)
F77Z-2200-DA Brake Kit (1983-94, 10" Drum)

 

^^^ good post.

I wasn't aware there was a TSB on the rear drum sticking issue. Guess it's more then just another common Ranger issue.

 

lol....i changed them all out months ago after i posted this thread

the guy who previously owned the truck put cheap *** pads and shoes on all 4 corners

installed some Wagner ceramic pads and shoes and haven't had a problem since

 

I've got some off and on brake grab on my right front only when depressing the pedal. In a week and a half i'll be flushing out my brake lines with fresh fluid. I've seen a few posts that said changing out the fluid helps that. My grabbing only happens when the truck is first started, within the first few minutes.

I doubt there is air in there, else the brakes would feel spongy.