Two problems related to brake antilock wheel speed sensor have been reported for the 1997 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
1. Regular braking was disabled by malfunctioning abs firing. For no apparent reason, in dry and slow conditions on city streets, brakes were not allowed to engage properly, resulting in the truck rolling forward as the abs system fired. 2. In trying to stop the truck, with the brakes fully engaged to the floor, the pedal vibrated from abs activity and the truck continued to roll forward into intersection. At first this only happened on the first stop of the day, every few months or so. Later it happened frequently. I found that if I quickly shut off the ignition the (electronic) abs would be deactivated and the truck would stop normally. 3. Changing front bearings and associated speed sensors solved the problem. Dealer part and installation was around $1200, but generic parts were available that shaved several hundred off this total repair cost.
I have replaced the speed sensor on the driver side. I now have a leak from the abs unit where the lines leave going to the brakes. I am trying to find out if there have been any other reported problems with other 1997 f150 trucks.