bhenson

I would like to issue a warning to anyone with a 2004 F-150.
The brake problems that I experienced were almost tragic.
It turns out that the rear brakes of these trucks have a dual braking system. The disc brakes are for the regular braking, but the parking brake is attached to a drum brake system.
My rear drum brakes were locking-up. The actuator in the brake linkage somehow became locked, and would cause the truck to vibrate. We thought it was an out of balance tire or some other cause.
The heat from the locked brake was so intense, it destroyed the bearing seals.
While on a trip 300 miles from home, the tire on the same side "blew out".
Now, mind you, I cannot prove the heat from this "locking brake" caused by "blow out", but logic would suggest that this could very well have been the cause.
At the present time, Ford is refusing to pay for the repair which cost almost $700, but I am re-submitting the cost.

My concern, as far as this forum goes, is the safety issue: I don't want to see someone hurt (or worse).