Sponsored

Reasonable brake upgrade

OP
OP
Area51BS

Area51BS

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Ron
Joined
Sep 20, 2022
Threads
228
Messages
3,088
Reaction score
4,991
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
Badlands non SAS 4dr 2.3
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Those options are more than I want to spend. I think I’m just used to my Ford work vehicle and the brakes just seem better. I drive the Bronco very little. Fun only. I suspect it’s just me.
Sponsored

 

EMBronco

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
Tyler
Joined
Oct 11, 2021
Threads
10
Messages
247
Reaction score
735
Location
Eagle Mountain, UT
Vehicle(s)
F250
Your Bronco Model
Base
Clubs
 
My brake pedal was a little soft/squishy the first couple thousand miles, but they seemed to have firmed up since then and are now great. I might have had air in the lines that finally worked its way out. Anyway, as others have stated if they don't feel right take it in and have your dealer take a look. Might be something simple like needing the brakes bled.
 

Herewegoagain

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Maxemus
Joined
Mar 26, 2023
Threads
1
Messages
135
Reaction score
159
Location
Idaho
Vehicle(s)
Honda civic
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
Is there a reasonably priced brake upgrade for the Bronco OEM brakes? They seem a little undersized or weak to me.
Is there a reasonably priced brake upgrade for the Bronco OEM brakes? They seem a little undersized or weak to me.
My 2000 f350 dually I practically have to stand on them ! My Badlands are awesome so far
 

Hemisfear

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Bronco Bob
Joined
Aug 21, 2020
Threads
3
Messages
1,799
Reaction score
2,055
Location
Lotusland
Vehicle(s)
2014 Focus ST
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
They work. But like every other system on the vehicle, they compromise. Seem a little undersized and easily rolled through at stops if not paying attention to pedal pressure. If I had to throw a number out there. 10% more stopping power would be nice.
Actually APG were raving that the brake system is in the Bronco was so good they stopped upgrading the brakes for their Builds...maybe try different pads! lol
 

helifino16

Wildtrak
Well-Known Member
First Name
Ron
Joined
Aug 12, 2021
Threads
11
Messages
2,900
Reaction score
5,046
Location
Mount Sinai, NY (Long Island)
Vehicle(s)
2009 Dodge Challenger, 2007 FLHTC "Classic"
Your Bronco Model
Wildtrak
Clubs
 
Not on my Bronco, but another car I have I upgraded to PowerStop brake pads and rotors (for the new clean look as much as the increase in braking). I did the work myself and I'm pleased with the results. Something as simple as better pads may make all the difference and disk brakes are very easy to work on. I don't feel there's a need to upgrade the complete system, unless you're building a racing truck.
 

Sponsored

Ninjak

Raptor
Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
Feb 19, 2022
Threads
27
Messages
2,735
Reaction score
4,693
Location
Miami
Vehicle(s)
2024 Bronco Raptor 68 Mustang GTA 2024 Mustang Dark Horse
Your Bronco Model
Raptor
My OEM brakes work great. Plenty of stopping power and I do not have to Fred Flinstone the brakes. This all on 37's, BL 4 door. With Armour front and back.

As others have said, perhaps the OP needs to check his system?
 

Snacktime

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Nate
Joined
Jul 14, 2020
Threads
71
Messages
3,863
Reaction score
9,681
Location
Sac-a-tomatoes
Vehicle(s)
Bronco, F150
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
Mostly pertains to the v6 brake system.

I would attempt a brake bleed before anything. You need to use FDRS to do this and worth practice as its not a run of the mill procedure.

Other issue is replacing the calipers can effect the system and several have had issues early on. Not sure if anyone has proceeded with upgrades since original teething issues in 2021 with Sema Broncos.
 

B22-2023

Wildtrak
Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Aug 14, 2022
Threads
45
Messages
925
Reaction score
969
Location
Houston
Vehicle(s)
2023 Bronco, 2023 4Runner TRD OR. 5 previous Gen 1s
Your Bronco Model
Wildtrak
I did the Powerstop pads on ‘23 Wildtrak. After a lift, 35s and all the armor it made a huge difference vs. OEM.
 

JohnnyBronco

Outer Banks
Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Sep 3, 2021
Threads
25
Messages
2,528
Reaction score
2,436
Location
Pennsylania
Vehicle(s)
X4
Your Bronco Model
Outer Banks
Clubs
 
On a related note, what is the expected brake life for the OEM pads and rotors?
At least 40,000 miles. They might be due next spring/ummer when I have to buy first replacement tires. Yes, all highway on Bridgestones but never a problem with brakes at any speed.

Can I venture a guess that the OP moved up from a Focus or similar or never had anti-lock brakes this century? Too little pressure on the pedal or trying to prevent engine shutoff at stops. Or is the shortage of stopping power when traversing obstacles offroad at a max 15mph

When its time I might upgrade pads but no complaints so far although my usual source for brake components, NAPA, has ZERO listings for brake pads ZERO
 

Karl_in_Chicago

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Karl
Joined
Jul 19, 2020
Threads
6
Messages
2,264
Reaction score
4,783
Location
Chicago
Vehicle(s)
Badlands
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Stock 2-dr BL 7-spd and brakes are so, so far down on things I'd want to update . . . echo the sentiments of others that perhaps there's some fault in your system that warrants further investigation. FWIW I live in the heart of downtown Chicago (60601) so the overwhelming majority of my driving is true stop-and-go (so brake-intensive) and I've never had to give any thought to the brakes. Good luck!
 

Sponsored

Steed76

Outer Banks
Well-Known Member
First Name
Chad
Joined
Aug 1, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
77
Reaction score
121
Location
IN
Vehicle(s)
Subaru Ascent, Jeep Cherokee
Your Bronco Model
Outer Banks
Clubs
 
I've commented since I've owned my 2DR SAS that the brakes were fantastic!! Maybe even slightly over modulated.. barely. But great nonetheless!
 

DefNotBuddyLee

Big Bend
Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2021
Threads
3
Messages
814
Reaction score
2,146
Location
Austin
Vehicle(s)
Mustang / Jeep / F150
Your Bronco Model
Big Bend
It sounds like you are letting the brake pads and rotors do the work. Give them a break and use your transmission to stop by throwing the lever into "P". The "P" means "Plenty of stopping power" when you are in an emergency situation.
 

Foxbody Barra

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Jul 8, 2023
Threads
2
Messages
107
Reaction score
124
Location
NJ
Vehicle(s)
23 Badlands
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
You do not need “better” brakes, and any brake upgrade you do will serve practically no purpose. Anything larger with reduce brake fade which you will not experience. Oem brakes can lock up the wheels to the point of ABS intervention. They aren’t a problem.
 

da_jokker

Wildtrak
Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2020
Threads
125
Messages
6,173
Reaction score
7,129
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
Jeep Wrangler JKUR
Your Bronco Model
Wildtrak
Clubs
 
OP didn't say what motor but there is a known issue with the 2.3 (vacuum hose).

I can load 1,000 lbs on my Bronco with Sasquatch and the brakes are excellent.

Either your brakes are not broken in yet, you glazed them, or it is possible there is something out of whack. Go drive another Bronco (dealer/club member) and compare.
 

KABQ

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
Aaron
Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Threads
17
Messages
2,389
Reaction score
7,433
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Vehicle(s)
'93 4Runner, '84 Vanagon, '93 Miata, '14 LittleGuy
Your Bronco Model
Base
Clubs
 
Those options are more than I want to spend. I think I’m just used to my Ford work vehicle and the brakes just seem better. I drive the Bronco very little. Fun only. I suspect it’s just me.
I think the issue isn't with the brakes themselves but with mechanics of the system. When you push the pedal, a little motor applies the brakes, not your foot.

The result is incredibly numb brakes and almost no pedal feedback. I think that's why you lose track of how hard you're applying the brakes while stopped.
Sponsored

 
 





Top