Reasonable brake upgrade

[Squatch]

Maybe don't skip leg day?

Get some stainless lines made and then you'll have to bleed the brakes and the only possible issue left, under normal driving, will be operator error.


@Snacktime - needing FDRS to bleed the brakes is a whole extra level of F the consumer, wow!

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[Area51BS]

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.

Could be this. They work. Just don’t like them 100%

 

[HotLap]

FWIW, when I upgraded at 4k mi., from OBX non-SAS to 6112s w/35s, my initial driving impression was very similar, felt like I needed a bit more pedal pressure to stop and felt as if stopping distance had increased a bit. Chalked it up to heavier wheel/tire combo and don’t notice it anymore. Brakes continue to work fine.

 

[FreddieLee]

Having owned an Everglades (2.3L) with vacuum boosted brakes, and Wildtrak (2.7L) with electronic boosted brakes, I know what the OP is referring to. Unfortunately, that's just how vacuum boosted brakes perform. Effective, but a bit underwhelming compared to the 2.7L brakes. I remember having to apply much more pressure when static to prevent rolling, but if you pump the brakes a few times, it builds hydraulic pressure so you don't have to apply as much pressure. Vacuum boosted also means that you have somewhat of a long-travel pedal, which means you have to get much further into the brake pedal for sudden or emergency braking.

They take getting used to, and there's not much that can be done to offset or enhance how they perform, but there is nothing the matter with them.

 

[Area51BS]

Having owned an Everglades (2.3L) with vacuum boosted brakes, and Wildtrak (2.7L) with electronic boosted brakes, I know what the OP is referring to. Unfortunately, that's just how vacuum boosted brakes perform. Effective, but a bit underwhelming compared to the 2.7L brakes. I remember having to apply much more pressure when static to prevent rolling, but if you pump the brakes a few times, it builds hydraulic pressure so you don't have to apply as much pressure. Vacuum boosted also means that you have somewhat of a long-travel pedal, which means you have to get much further into the brake pedal for sudden or emergency braking.

They take getting used to, and there's not much that can be done to offset or enhance how they perform, but there is nothing the matter with them.

Bingo.

 

[JohnnyBronco]

Having owned an Everglades (2.3L) with vacuum boosted brakes, and Wildtrak (2.7L) with electronic boosted brakes, I know what the OP is referring to. Unfortunately, that's just how vacuum boosted brakes perform. Effective, but a bit underwhelming compared to the 2.7L brakes. I remember having to apply much more pressure when static to prevent rolling, but if you pump the brakes a few times, it builds hydraulic pressure so you don't have to apply as much pressure. Vacuum boosted also means that you have somewhat of a long-travel pedal, which means you have to get much further into the brake pedal for sudden or emergency braking.

They take getting used to, and there's not much that can be done to offset or enhance how they perform, but there is nothing the matter with them.

Reminds me of the 74 Toyota HiLux I had to pump the brakes to get brakes. The dealer even replaced the master cylinder but for the life of them could not find the broken self adjuster on the right front.

Not applicable- just sharing a triggered memory.

But if we are talking two different boost systems between 2.3 and 2.7 maybe that is the whole issue

In any event a true upgrade to the best will set you back $3000 but for how much increase in performance? $700 or so at buybrakes dotcom gets cross drilled ND slotted rotors with maybe 10-15% improvement depending on how you read their own ratings

 

[Tricky Mike]

On a related note, what is the expected brake life for the OEM pads and rotors?

Driver dependant. My wife can go though a set of pads in 10k

I just want them to stop squealing, they are strong enough for my needs.

 

[Summit981]

Powerbrake (not to be confused with Powerstop) from South Africa. Their brakes are designed / used for professional racing. They’ve entered the U.S. market and have been showcasing their X1 Stage 1 big brake kit for the Bronco at Overland Expo for the past two years. Currently sold thru Main Line Overland.

From their literature:
‘Powerbake

X-Line 4x4 big brake kits are engineered from the ground up to be the ultimate brake upgrades available on the world market for 4x4 vehicles. They deliver significantly improved brake performance, reduce brake fade and vastly improve pedal feel and modulation. The performance gains achieved when fitting our big brake kits vastly outweigh the benefits that can be achieved by fitting upgraded, standard diameter discs and pads. Our civilian X-Line 4x4 big brake kits feature direct technology transfer from our R-Line off-road race brake systems that have been used by works race teams to win multiple FIA Cross Country World Championships as well the infamous Dakar Rally (which is regarded by many to be the most grueling motorsport event on earth).

 

[swamp2]

I almost always upgrade to stainless braided brake lines but can't get them for the Raptor. Talked to a couple vendors about making kits from existing parts. I'll do this ASAP.

 

[Obeh4ve]

A number of brake issues can be corrected by properly bedding in your brakes. Brake squeal, pulsing and less than optimal bite. I'm not saying this will fix the OP's issue just tossing it out there because no one mentioned it. While the article kind of implies this it's worth calling out specifically. Always do this where it's safe and definitely don't come to a complete stop. This will cook the pad and the rotor will not be happy. I diverge from the article a bit. 50 to 5 mph until I smell them cooking and then drive until they are cooled off. 5-10 minutes with no brake input.
https://www.powerstop.com/resources/brake-pad-break-in-procedure/

 

[FreddieLee]

6-piston Brembo brakes on my last vehicle. Replacing front rotors was $600 for the pair, and the pads were $240 per caliper. Rotors and pads required replacement every 18 months or so. Point being, there’s usually significant cost to maintain big brake kits.

Nothing the matter with the Bronco's OEM braking components.

 

[Dorf2point0]

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.

ouch

 

[Brian_B]

So I've been driving my Bronco a lot the last few months. I ended up back in the work truck for a trip this weekend, and noticed the brakes felt extremely twitchy in the truck.

I don't think the brakes have changed in the work truck, I've just gotten used to the Bronco setup.

The Bronco by no means has weak brakes, but it does take more pedal to stop. I think I like it that way - easier to make slight adjustments while on the trail trying to precisely control speed rather than having some super-sensitive brake pedal and it be all-or-none.

 

[Area51BS]

Must just be the Bronco setup/vac assist. I checked my Ford van today 2017, and just resting foot on pedal holds it at a stoplight. Not my Bronco. Doesn’t require lots of pressure, but does require attention.

 

[One more upgrade]

Is there a reasonably priced brake upgrade for the Bronco OEM brakes? They seem a little undersized or weak to me.

I have the 2.7 as well and did not find any reasonable brake upgrades. I did install the PowerStop truck and tow drilled and slotted rotors with pads. After a proper break in there is a noticeable difference. I could not give you an exact percentage of improvement, but I was pleasantly surprised. I tried these on the recommendation of a Ford Tech of 20+ years who runs them on all his vehicles. With 38-inch tires, armor, and accessories, I feel these make up the difference.

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