My brakes do the exact same thing in the wet. Makes me look like an idiot at the drivethru when the brakes lock up 2 ft before the window.

 

lol!

 

I guess its better to have brakes that lock up than no brakes at all!

 

"Brake pads used - NAPA Safety-Stop Cermaic (NAPA Pads"
I know you, like me thought the ceramic pads would be an upgrade.
Maybe if you had installed new rotors.
I have experienced the same issue with ceramic pads. And because I sometimes have to learn the hard way, I experience it twice. Once on my F250 work truck and once on the wife's Ranger. Learned not to say, "gimme da best ya got" cause sometimes you get the most expensive, not the best for your situation.
Try some semi-metallic pads.
I replaced my expensive ceramic pads with much less expensive semi-metallic pads and no more lockups. Just nice smooth braking action.
With the winter driving conditions the way they are here, you do not want to have the brakes grabbing. I thought I would tolerate the situation until I drove in some slippery conditions.
I would ask NAPA for an exchange. Tell them the ceramics are locking up and you feel it isn't safe. Should exchange 'em for you.

 

I know abs doesn't lock up the brakes, which is why mine lock up. I don't have abs. If his abs isn't working properly, the brakes will lock up. If the pads create enough friction to grab the rotors, abs won't be able to compensate, and the brakes will lock up. Abs pulses the brakes so they don't lock up, but the brakes may grab enough to still lock up and make abs fail.

 

Thing that sucks is I tossed the old pads already and this is my dd

 

... I'm aware of how ABS works.

The brakes are not locking up because the calipers are applying too much pressure...
It has nothing to do with ABS.

Nevermind... I give up.

 

I don't feel like reading the first couple pages. But I would start with adjusting your rear drums out as far as you can.


Even with amazing pads and sandpaper like grip on the rotors it shouldn't lock up with that little pressure. Unless there is a metering issue with the brake force not being applied enough in the rear. More than likely do to bad adjustment or worn shoes/drums in the rear

 

Stop by NAPA and speak to them on the way home from work.
You may have to buy a set of pads then bring back the others for a refund.
If your NAPA is anything like mine, they don't want you driving with crap for brakes.

 

Have a good look at the end tabs that hold the disc pads in place. They should fit snug but not binding. The tabs should keep the pads from shifting sideways, but not keep them from moving. You can bend them closer slightly.

What happens is at slow speeds the pads shift position slightly - they rock into a binding position, then grab the rotor too tight.
If the tabs fit loose it can rock, if tight it can't.

It's much the same thing as the start of a squeel at higher speeds. At higher speeds they rock, bind, let loose, then rock again, over and over real fast. Also called chatter. Chatter can drive ABS nuts to, but that's not thi problem. That's why squeling brakes usually pull.

The slight differences between mfgr's sizes does it.

It also doesn't hurt to use the spray anti-chatter stuff on the backs of the pads, - the biggest problem with that stuff is people don't let it dry long enough before assembling.
The thin anti chatter shims behind the pads sometimes help in stubborn cases. If you use those, do not use the spray too.

 

I still bet it doesn't do it when the brakes are dry. Anyone who has ever driven a Ford for an extended period of time knows what I'm talking about.

 

Sun-a-***** you were right! Got in and test the brakes. They were working amazingly well. Smooth but the new pads definitely bite way harder. It is not locking up like they were yesterday but the new pads absolutely stop way harder. If the problem is only for a bit when wet, I am not getting rid of these pads. Compared to my old brakes these things RULE! To verify 100% I am going to wet down my brakes tomorrow and see if they lock up again.

 

I've had scary moments on the trail after a water crossing because of this. going down a hill, feather the brakes and they lock causing me to slide sideways towards some trees. Same after I wash my Jeep. It doesn't rain enough here for this problem to be naturally occurring for me though.

 

Just wetting them down may not cause the same effect. I'm not sure why. I've never had it do it after washing the Jeep. (And I soak the brakes)

It usually only does it for me after we've had a good rain and they've had time to have moisture really settle in.