2011 No ABS or Advance Trac Warnings - FRONT Brakes Sticking...Wazzup???

[notamechanicbrad]

The front brakes are fine when I start the truck. But the longer the truck is driven the more the front brakes are engaged. Calipers and pads were replaced last week. No ABS or traction control trouble codes showing.

History on the truck - 160k miles. 4wd. Country truck so lots of dirt and dust. Truck was being driven only a couple times a month for short runs to town before I purchased it. 1st 20 miles driven after purchase I had no problems. Next time I drove it I pulled my 16ft box trailer about 40 miles one way to a friends house. When I left there, it felt like the truck was having a hard time getting up to speed. I stopped for lunch, then when I was getting back on the road, the back tires were spinning but the truck would barely move. Once I got it rolling the problem seemed to lessen so I limped it back home with a couple stops to make sure the rotors werent glowing red hot. I checked DTCs with Forscan and did have 1 code for the Transfer Case Shift Motor so I replaced it. Problem still existed and I could tell the brakes were not releasing so I replaced the calipers and pads. But alas...the Problem remains.

I have been driving it about 10 miles per day. 5 to work and 5 home. On 1 of my drive home trips I got a pretty severe shake in the steering wheel. I checked the power steering fluid and it was right at the LOW mark so topped it off. Since then Ive had 1 time I got a minor shake in the steering wheel but it resolved itself pretty quickly.

ABS or advancetrac issue??? Brake hoses? Wheel speed sensors? What could be the problem???

Can I unplug the ABS and drive it to determine if the ABS module is the problem?

 

[DieselMonk]

Wheel speed sensors should not be a cause for brakes constantly dragging. It can cause weird ABS issues.
As a test, pull the ABS / traction control fuse and see if there is any difference driving.

 

[Retiredusps]

I had a similar thing on 2005, Front brakes would hang up after about a20 mile ride, bedal would also pulsate like a warped caliper. turned out both front wheel rubber hose from frame to wheel were bad. replaced and no more problems they colapsed and fluid woud not return.

 

[max78]

I fought low power on my expedition for a while. I found out the front brakes were dragging really bad, but intermittently. I'll link my thread because it was a pain to diagnose because it was so unlikely.


In short, my brakes booster was sticking causing the front brakes to drag.

To diagnose.
Jack the front end up.
Start truck (if 4wd to disengage hubs)
Spin the wheels by hand and see if they spin freely or drag.
Loosen the master cylinder to booster connection and retest.

09 3v power loss "cured" with 5w40

This adventure has really been something. Is there any chance the rubber seal in the master cylinder is loose or dislodged? Something is not releasing as you noted. Ya it's been rough, and I keep stopping diagnosing and buying parts thinking that surly that's the issue, but then I realize...

www.expeditionforum.com

 

[notamechanicbrad]

It looks like there are 3 fuses for the ABS. I pulled the fuse to the ABS pump. Drove the truck to work. Issue still remains and I got a little wobble in the steering wheel. Ive probably warped the rotors at this point.

Brake lines will be here this evening and I will get them installed and the brakes bled. I will then pull the rest of the fuses for the ABS and see how it drives.

 

[notamechanicbrad]

Thank you DieselMonk, Retiredusps and max78 for your input and suggestions!

I will update after the new lines are installed this evening or tomorrow morning depending when Amazon shows up.

 

[notamechanicbrad]

I think I got lucky...this time. Front brake lines came this evening and I installed them and bled the brakes. Took the truck for a test drive and it rode great. Wow!... The feeling of coasting down the road when you let off the gas versus driving with the brakes on all the time...Amazing!

PS. The old lines I couldnt blow any air thru at all after I took them off. I may cut one open before I throw them in the trash just to see whats in there!

 

[JamaicaJoe]

I wonder if my lines (2013) are bad as well. I had to replace all of them on my 2001 at 85K as the rear wheel was dragging. I am getting a light show, check brakes, service advancetrack etc from time to time . I do check caliper heat but it is hard to tell.

 

[notamechanicbrad]

They are easy to replace and not expensive so it might be worth doing. If you remove a line you should be able to blow thru it. It is a completely open line.

I did let almost all the old fluid drip out before I refilled the master cylinder. Between changing out the calipers last week and the lines this week I used a full large bottle of brake fluid.

I never got any warning lights. But I was getting an occasional severe shudder in the steering wheel. Im thinking that was the advancetrac trying to correct for 1 wheel wanting to turn at a slower speed than the rest.

 

[pitdexion]

The front brake hose brackets rust where they are crimped to the hose and slowly pinch them closed not allowing fluid back out of caliper.