Brake issue

[Motorhead350]

The e250 is having a minor problem. After heavy usage of brakes they will lock up. The rear abs light comes on and the rear will be stuck. I already replaced 1 drum and that helped. The shoes are fine. It's not fully locked anymore, but I have not checked yet to see if it's the same drum... even if I just replaced it. The shoes are fine.

The van will unlock when cooled off. If I cruise it's fine. City driving murders this thing and only when it heats up it becomes locked.

What am I missing?

Thanks!

[JBeezy]

Bleed the brakes

[martyo]

Have you inspected the rest of the rear brake components.

[Comin' in Hot]

If you leave your emergency brake on eventually they begin to lock up, if they are just too tight they will lock up...... And replacing one drum is never good idea, if you're going to do it, do both.

[larryo340]

Brake shoes adjusted too tight maybe

[Motorhead350]

I never used the emergency brake. I did not check the rest yet... simply because I would not know what's wrong unless it's 100 percent obvious. I will check the adjustments on the shoes.

Thank you.

[martyo]

I never used the emergency brake. I did not check the rest yet... simply because I would not know what's wrong unless it's 100 percent obvious. I will check the adjustments on the shoes.

Thank you.

Your wheel cylinder is shot. Or the springs are worn out. Or both.

Your band should be happy they deafen people. Do they want to kill people too??

[Motorhead350]

This is not White Snake or The Who.

Lol

Our first road trip is not for 6 days. I will take it to a place tomorrow, I no longer have time to do these things. Wheel cylinder hua?

[Zack]

Adjusted too tight. Same thing happened on my 76 caddy years ago.

[Motorhead350]

Thank you Zack.

[Granddaddy Marq]

I'm going to say collapsing brake line. As you push on the pedal the presser goes through but when you release the pedal there's not enough presser pushing back. The fluid doesn't flow back. It acts like a check valve.

[tbone]

$8.00_________

[massacre]

Check the parking brakes very common i work on a lot of ford vand

[massacre]

Sorry was supposed to say vans.

[Motorhead350]

I am getting a lot of mixed answers here.

I am going to take it to a shop tomorrow. I had the drum off and decided to give up. I never messed with drums. I am not worried, I simply do not have time for trial and error. If everyone was telling me the same thing I would do it.

I will post the fix tomorrow.

[L.Mark]

My Mark VII 's front would lock after it got hot and then unlock. It would start to smoke. I had to replace the caliper and everything was fine...

[Motorhead350]

The smoke was coming from the back right drum.

It's going back to the shop tomorrow. We will see what happens.

There is no metal on metal grind when slowing down or anything.

[martyo]

The smoke was coming from the back right drum.

It's going back to the shop tomorrow. We will see what happens.

There is no metal on metal grind when slowing down or anything.

Be sure to post the the cause of the problem.

[L.Mark]

Mine made no noise either. It just kinda pulled in that direction...

[Motorhead350]

It still stops straight, but boy does it lock up. You can put it in gear and it will not move at all. You can move it back and forth from R to D with no brake petal usage at all and it will stay completely stationary.

Plus it takes even more throttle to get it up to speed and keep it going! Only when hot. It will go back tomorrow morning. I will see what the boys say and keep everyone posted.

I am sure this is a simple fix to someone that knows what they are doing.

[martyo]

I am sure this is a simple fix to someone that knows what they are doing.

Good ideas considering a van could kill a lo of people.

[J-MAN]

Fix them brakes!! Doubtful that Hollywood would do a film if the group is lost in a crash. Worst case I hope Pauly Shore gets the lead.

[RF Overlord]

Adjusted too tight. This...


I'm going to say collapsing brake line. As you push on the pedal the pressure goes through but when you release the pedal there's not enough pressure pushing back. The fluid doesn't flow back. It acts like a check valve....or this.

[Motorhead350]

Dragggggggg

I did not get a sure answer. All they said was it probably needs new shoes, the other drum, pads and discs. I bet it's an adjustment issue.

I will take off the front wheels and check out the brakes myself before I start spending money.

The back right drum no longer smokes or smells as bad.

Very confused.

[Motorhead350]

Ok I took off the front wheels. The front discs and pads are fine. I got the other drum off. It and the shoes looked fine. I even took the drum to an auto supply store. They said it was fine. Normal wear and does not need to be replaced.

So I drove and heated up the brakes. I got both rear tires up in the air, put it in neutral and spun the wheels to see which one was giving me the most resistance. It's the passenger one again. The same one that was smoking.

Zack or Martyo must be right. Too tight or new cylinder needed. I will look up how to adjust first.

Thank you all.

[massacre]

The parking brake levers often get completely frozen and keep the shoes out.

[Motorhead350]

Ok. I adjusted the brakes and loosened them. It now takes more petal pressure to get it to slow down, but the brakes still lock up. The abs light comes on too. I loosened both rears.

Now it does not seem to stay locked after usage, only in a panic stop like old cars and fine again without any problem getting it up to speed.

I will drive it for about an hour tomorrow. If it's like this without lock up after usage that's fine.

Reminds me of Zack's 59 Caddy with 442 brakes..
Or whatever setup he has.

[RF Overlord]

It now takes more petal pressure to get it to slow down, but the brakes still lock up. The abs light comes on too.Bad proportioning valve?

[Motorhead350]

I got an offer for assistance from a fellow member on the board, Ben. I took it to him last night. Turns out the brakes were fine and most of the parts were new from the previous owner, except springs. He replaced the springs, reset everything and it was good to go! No need for shoes, pads or even rotors.

We now have a gig to drive to today and it's a long haul, but good money!

Big thanks to Ben and everyone else who chimed in.

[Motorhead350]

Zero issues since spring swap. Drove it 7 hours yesterday.

Win!

[massacre]

Great news