Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 382

Fig. 26: Identifying Rubber Drain Tube Connected To Bleeder Screw 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

3. Place a box end wrench on the RH rear bleeder screw. Attach a rubber drain tube to the RH rear bleeder 

screw, and submerge the free end of the tube in a container partially filled with clean brake fluid.  

4. Open the valve on the bleeder tank.  

5. Loosen the RH rear bleeder screw. Leave open until clear, bubble-free brake fluid flows, then tighten the 

RH rear bleeder screw and remove the rubber hose. 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 GENERAL INFORMATION Brake System - General Information - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 27: Identifying Rubber Drain Tube Connected To Bleeder Screw 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

6. Continue bleeding the rear of the system, going in order from the LH rear bleeder screw to the RH front 

disc brake caliper bleeder screw ending with the LH front disc brake caliper bleeder screw.  

7. Close the bleeder tank valve. Remove the tank hose from the adapter, and remove the adapter.  

HYDRAULIC LEAK CHECK 

1. Make sure the brake master cylinder reservoir (2K478) is full.  

2. Apply the brakes several times and make sure the brake pedal (2455) feel is not spongy. If necessary, 

bleed the system. For additional information, refer to BLEEDING - SYSTEM.  

3. If the reservoir level is dropping, inspect the brake components, fittings and lines to locate the source of 

the leak.  

NOTE:

Brake fluid is water soluble and it is possible that all evidence of fluid 
leakage has been washed off if the vehicle has been operated in the rain or 
snow.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 GENERAL INFORMATION Brake System - General Information - F150 Pickup

  

2002-04 BRAKES

Disc & Drum - Blackwood, F150 Heritage Pickup & F150 Pickup 

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION 

BRAKE SYSTEM 

The Blackwood, F150 Pickup and F150 Heritage Pickup are equipped with a vacuum-assisted power braking 
system. The braking system is a front-to-rear split hydraulic system. The standard dual brake system is split 
front and rear, with the front brakes comprising one circuit and the rear brakes, the other circuit. The front brake 
disc is a vented, full-cast type. The caliper is a double-piston type. The rear disc brakes utilize a single piston 
brake caliper and brake disc system (if equipped). 

The rear drum brakes use a self-adjusting system (F150 Pickup and F150 Heritage Pickup). The optional rear 
disc parking brake system is a drum-in-hat parking brake system and is not self-adjusting. The rear brake disc is 
a vented, full-cast, drum-in-hat type. The caliper is a single-piston type. Each brake pad is equipped with a 
riveted spring clip that secures it to either the brake caliper piston or the brake caliper housing. The Rear Anti-
Lock Brake System (RABS) is standard equipment. A 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (4WABS) is optional. 
On Blackwood, a mechanical parking brake system with a motorized releasing mechanism that activates a shoe-
and-drum system within the rear brake disc. See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 . 

Fig. 1: Identifying Brake System (Blackwood)

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-04 BRAKES Disc & Drum - Blackwood, F150 Heritage Pickup & F150 Pickup

  

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-04 BRAKES Disc & Drum - Blackwood, F150 Heritage Pickup & F150 Pickup

  

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

Fig. 2: Identifying Brake System (F150 Pickup & F150 Heritage Pickup) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

SYSTEM COMPONENTS 

Adjustable Pedals 

The Adjustable Pedals System (APS), if equipped, allows the driver to adjust the brake and accelerator pedals 

NOTE:

Description and operation information for F150 Pickup was not provided by 
manufacturer.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2002-04 BRAKES Disc & Drum - Blackwood, F150 Heritage Pickup & F150 Pickup