greasing brake pedal linkages

[OF Hero]

Developed some brake pedal groans/creaking recently, decided to try to grease the pivot points in the brake assembly with a bit of lithium grease, followed a few days later by a touch of WD40 as the sound persisted. Was taking a look at the linkage again this evening and noticed the first pivot point with the nut/bolt just adjacent to the push rod has a tiny bit of play in it. Neither spins, it's just the entire unit, and very tiny.

Was it always like this, or did the grease cause something to migrate? I've always used either spray on creaky pedals before, something different with these brake assemblies or still safe to use?

Sponsored

 

[Brian_B]

It's possible they had a rubber or plastic bushing in there that something didn't agree with, or that it's just worn. But probably not - what you used is probably safe. Probably.

It's just the connecting bolt up front, and an adjustment nut right behind it (can barely see it in the back there, also in the red circle).

So to be clear, are you talking about a bit of play in that connecting nut/bolt, or in the rear adjustment nut? Or just that there is a little play in the linkage / push rod without moving the pedal?

A little tweak on that adjustment nut may tighten things back up in either case. That said - a little bit of play shouldn't be causing anything to squeak.

I had a similar issue on son's '97 Ranger when he left his windows down in the rain one time. The upper pivot point (you can see in the top of the photo) got corroded/rusted. We would grease it (same things you tried), it would be ok a few weeks, but would always start to squeak again. We eventually replaced the entire pedal assembly. After taking it apart, yeah it was fairly rusted up, and we weren't able to get grease in on it all the way without taking it completely apart. It's probably fine now that we did pull it and completely disassemble it - but being a mild pain to yank we just replaced it when we yanked it out.

So try greasing that upper pivot as well if you haven't (can't tell in photo). You might get lucky with that too. Lithium would be my go-to grease for that as well, but it doesn't exactly flow well into things that are assembled - PB Blaster would definitely get in there (but it smells like a refinery's arse)

 

[OF Hero]

It's possible they had a rubber or plastic bushing in there that something didn't agree with, or that it's just worn. But probably not - what you used is probably safe. Probably.

It's just the connecting bolt up front, and an adjustment nut right behind it (can barely see it in the back there, also in the red circle).

So to be clear, are you talking about a bit of play in that connecting nut/bolt, or in the rear adjustment nut? Or just that there is a little play in the linkage / push rod without moving the pedal?

A little tweak on that adjustment nut may tighten things back up in either case. That said - a little bit of play shouldn't be causing anything to squeak.

I had a similar issue on son's '97 Ranger when he left his windows down in the rain one time. The upper pivot point (you can see in the top of the photo) got corroded/rusted. We would grease it (same things you tried), it would be ok a few weeks, but would always start to squeak again. We eventually replaced the entire pedal assembly. After taking it apart, yeah it was fairly rusted up, and we weren't able to get grease in on it all the way without taking it completely apart. It's probably fine now that we did pull it and completely disassemble it - but being a mild pain to yank we just replaced it when we yanked it out.

So try greasing that upper pivot as well if you haven't (can't tell in photo). You might get lucky with that too. Lithium would be my go-to grease for that as well, but it doesn't exactly flow well into things that are assembled - PB Blaster would definitely get in there (but it smells like a refinery's arse)

When you say probably safe, are you referring to not corroding the components or the entire assembly coming apart??? LOL

Neither the bolt or the adjustment nut spin, there's just a tiny bit of left to right (brake to gas pedal direction) play at the linkage point in the bolt/nut as a whole.

I'll also try some silicone grease on the push rod where it enters the plastic boot.

 

[Brian_B]

“Probably”

I’ve never had lithium grease react to anything automotive. Nor wd40.

But it’s remotely possible if they used a plastic bushing that it could have reacted with the lubricant. I can’t think of anything - I’ve never seen it, but I concede that it’s a possibility.

Remotely possible, extremely unlikely. Automotive manufacturers use lithium grease very commonly, and for them to select a part that’s incompatible with it would be surprising.

A little bit of motion side to side isn’t all that surprising - the bolt needs to be loose enough to pivot after all. You can always try to tighten down on it a bit, or if it’s out of thread throw a washer in there to see if it helps.

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

Interesting reading this here after having a similar squeak in my 2016 Expedition years ago. Dealership replaced brake master to try to rectify, still existed. I was being lazy since it was under warranty... I then evaluated myself and simply had to lubricate the linkage and was perfect thereafter.

 

[OF Hero]

Had my first post-break in oil change today and had dealer look at the brake assembly, they said that little bit of play was normal. Even compared it to other Broncos on the lot that had it too. In case anyone else has that question and comes across this thread.

Still getting some intermittent brake pedal groan/creaking, probably need to grease the push rod where it enters the boot. Or I guess I'll just turn up the music some more!

 

[Brian_B]

Take the top off. You won't hear a thing.

Sponsored