Brake System: Notes

The significant features of the brake system are as follows:

E150 and E250 have front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. See Fig 1.
E350, E450 and E550 are equipped with front and rear disc brakes. See Fig 1.
All E150-E450 vehicles have front disc brakes. The E550 front wheel brakes utilize a dual piston brake caliper and disc brake system.
On all models, the parking brake is foot-operated. The E150 and E250 uses the rear drum brake system. E350, uses a drum-in-hat brake system. See Fig 2-Fig 5 .
The E450 and E550 is equipped with a transmission-mounted parking brake. See Fig 6 and Fig 7 . The parking brake system is actuated when the parking brake control is depressed. The parking brake control applies tension to the front parking brake cable and conduit, activating the parking brake assembly.
The brake hydraulic system is split front and rear at the brake master cylinder.
The brake power assist is vacuum-operated on the E150, E250 and E350. The E450 is equipped with a Hydro-Boost power brake booster powered by the power steering pump. The E550 Motorhome chassis is equipped with either the Hydro-Boost or the Hydro-Max booster.
All vehicles are equipped with either a rear only (RABS) or a 4-wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (4WABS). The E550 anti-lock brake system utilizes a 3 or 4 channel configuration.

Fig 1: Identifying Brake System Components

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 2: Identifying Parking Brake System (E150 & E350 Rear Disc)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 3: Identifying Parking Brake System (E250 W/Tension Limiter)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 4: Identifying Parking Brake System (E250 W/Multiplier)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 5: Identifying Rear Disc Parking Brake Components (E250 & E350)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 6: Identifying Hydro-Max Power Brake Booster Components

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 7: Identifying Parking Brake Components (E550 Motor Home Chassis)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

The hydraulic brake system consists of the brake master cylinder, the brake master cylinder fluid control valve, mounted in the rear outlet port of the brake master cylinder, the disc brake calipers, the rear wheel cylinders, the Four-Wheel Anti-Lock (4WABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), if equipped, and the brake lines and hoses.