• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

87-93 5.0's, does the rear brakes function under braking?

  • Thread starter Thread starter FiveO
  • Start date Start date Jul 13, 2004

FiveO

Founding Member
Jan 28, 2001
1,146
0
0
NJ
Jul 13, 2004
#1
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #1
I always thought they didn't, being that they are drums and disc in front. if so how much are they really braking? 80% 20%rear? or less?
 

QUICK91LX

Founding Member
Dec 7, 2001
968
3
39
New Jersey
Jul 13, 2004
#2
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #2
yes they absolutely function, why have them if they didnt? you have never locked your rear tires? its more than 80/20 but im not sure what it is...the front brakes arent relied upon THAT much...the e-brake only locks the passenger side rear wheel.
 

millhouse

Founding Member
May 14, 2002
1,985
0
46
Simpsonville, SC
Jul 13, 2004
#3
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #3
QUICK91LX said:
yes they absolutely function, why have them if they didnt? you have never locked your rear tires? its more than 80/20 but im not sure what it is...the front brakes arent relied upon THAT much...the e-brake only locks the passenger side rear wheel.
Click to expand...


I believe it's somewhere around 70-30, but the front brakes are heavily relied upon. You'd be hard pressed to stop with just the rears, but can absolutely do so with the fronts (although I wouldnt recommend it).

Back when I had drums, the self adjusting mechanisms allways never worked...so every time I went to the track my rear breaks seemed to fade heavily. Even so, she still stopped fine.

Also, the e-brake should lock both wheels, as you have cables going to both left and right sides.
 
R

ratrapp

New Member
Apr 24, 2004
510
0
0
buena vista,va
Jul 13, 2004
#4
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #4
actually it's around 75to80 front,25to30 rear.that's why under normal braking you'll go through 1 or 2 front brake sets to 1 rear.i don't know on your car but on mine the e-brake locks both rear brakes,if i didn't lock but one then why do they have 2 e-brake cables?
 

FiveO

Founding Member
Jan 28, 2001
1,146
0
0
NJ
Jul 13, 2004
#5
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #5
nope never locked the rears... maybe the brakes are old...i've never done it in either of my mustangs.... another reason why i assumed they didn't was because doing brake stands is so easy. i guess that is just tearing up rear brakes... (as well as tires )
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,246
17,926
224
Massachusetts
Jul 13, 2004
#6
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #6
The bias is a little off. Keep in mind, the fronts do not brake evenly because the driver's side wheel sees direct line pressure from the MC and the pass wheel sees it after the prop valve. That's why the driver's side wheel will always lock first.
 

TRWXXA

Member
Jan 18, 2003
190
1
19
RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!... Made you look.
Jul 13, 2004
#7
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #7
The rear brakes are absolutely functional. If you had no rear brakes, you'd know it!

After changing the rear shoes, and before they were fully adjusted, my braking performance was horrible.

Don't know the exact ratio of braking that the rears do, but I'll bet it changes quite a bit depending on certain variables -- vehicle loading, speed, brake pressure, brake temperature, etc.

The problem is that the drum brakes tend to be somewhat grabby. Threshold braking is pretty tough. You can be braking just great, then with just a hair more brake pressure, the rears lock up completely. When this happens the ratio probably goes to about 90/10, front to rear, and you can really feel the loss of braking perormance.
 

Musclecarfan88

Member
Dec 30, 2002
184
0
16
Indianapolis, Indiana
Jul 13, 2004
#8
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #8
4 wheel lock ups SUCK!
 

Ray III

New Member
Feb 10, 2004
586
0
0
fixin Boomhower's John Deere in Troy, NY
Jul 13, 2004
#9
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #9
I was thinking more like 60/40... You lose like 1/3 of your braking power with nonfunctional rears, and that's as long as you don't brake so hard that the traction of the front wheels alone isn't enough. If your brakes aren't powerful enough or wheels are locking up you need to look at the brakes. Even properly maintained stock 4 banger brakes can lock all 4 wheels at highway speed with a violent stab to the pedal. (Ok I have anger management issues)
 
E

evn_05

Member
Apr 16, 2003
76
0
7
central illinois
Jul 13, 2004
#10
  • Jul 13, 2004
  • #10
Haha fox brakes what a joke. More like 80% front 0% rear. Seriously the brake setups on our cars SUCK. They were overpowered and underbraked from the factory and Ford knew it too. I experianced this one night when i had to slam my brakes at 130+ mph. Lets just say it toasted the front tires completely and the rears didnt even think about locking up. I almost wonder sometime if I have rear brakes. I wish I had the money for atleast rear disc but I always seem to blow it on other stupid crap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Interior and Upholstery 87-93 Mustang Metal Side Headliner Trim Clips Upper Hatchback Coupe Door OEM 524
  • Noobz347
  • May 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
409
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 25, 2025
Noobz347
D
Brakes 88 LX 5.0 - help! no brakes
  • DRGunn427
  • Feb 26, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
409
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 27, 2025
nickyb
S
Drivetrain 8.8 Pinion and 302 rear main seal leaks after replacing. 93 5.0 with t-5
  • Steigy4827
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
646
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 1, 2026
Steigy4827
S
H
Engine 1987 5.0 HO vacuum hose locations
  • harryhaber
  • Jun 20, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
494
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 21, 2025
limp
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
132
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?