My '03 XLT 4x4... Last fall I started having an issue when I slowed down/stopped.
I had a vibration in the front right when I hit the brakes.
1st thought - rotors.
I paid Ford to do a brake check at my inspection in April.
They said I needed rotors.
I replaced the Rotors/pads Sunday.
But there's still a vibration in the right front when I hit the breaks.
What's my next best target to single out / get rid of the vibrations?
How many factors could be the issue?
1-1/2 yrs ago, lower ball joints were replaced.
Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Tires. have them balanced at a minimum. You'll be surprised. I had an issue with vibration soo bad I thought the whole front end was gonna fall out. This vibration only occurred during braking, so naturally I focused on the brakes...only to discover it was the tires. I drove like this for a year. Then I got tires cause I needed them anyways and on my first drive that stupid vibration/shudder was gone completely!!!

 

Thanks for the info, Galaxy.

When I had my brakes checked, they did say my rotor was warped.
And they said I should have all wheels balance, not just the tire with the vibration.
I was told balancing all 4 tires every year is the 'norm'.

If a re-balance solves the problem, I'm gonna kick myself.
Why do we (myself) always jump to conclusions when troubleshooting instead of trying the cheapest options first?
Dang.

Thanks again.

 

good thing about checking is if there still in balance they shouldn't charge you anything

 

Finally got rid of that vibrating stop. Mannn, I hated that! She'll put you thru the front window when you the skidders now. - Very happy with it.






Replaced stock calipers and added Brembo HD rotors last year. That didn't help much.

So a few months ago, I changed out the calipers again, but this time I used Cardons w/steel pistons, made new hard lines and replaced all. Replaced rubber lines, Master cylinder and she stops better than new. My rear brakes must not have been working for some time, - The pads were like new when I pulled the drums.

It took allot, but finally nailed it.

 

Well, since I posted my original thread, I was hoping a wheel balance would solve my problem.
Thurs, Friday, Saturday morning, the problem seemed to be getting worse.
I was almost flipping out. Only place I knew I could get in easily was Pep boys.
From my descriptions of changing front rotors/pads and then my existing vibrations, the guys guaranteed me wheel balancing wouldn't solve the problem.
After a couple more questions, back and forth trouble shooting, I went home ready to change rear rotors & pads which I already had.
Planned to replace the rear brakes in the spring.(Brembo rotors/EBC ultimax pads).
Replacing the rears turned out to be a MAJOR pain in the... neck.
Truck completely supported in the air on stands, then shifted into neutral.
Wheels came off, I sprayed some rust buster on both hubs, and hammered away with my little dead blow.
I hammered/turned the rotor, and I hammered/turned... and hammered/turned.
That was only one side of the truck.
I sprayed some more, went to the other side and hammered/turned there for a bit.
It finally broke loose, then got stuck on rust build up on the inner rotor lip which interefered with the E-brake pads.
More more more hammering and they both finally came off.
Cleaned up the hubs with a wire brush and added a bit of never seize.
Put the new parts in, one side completely done.
The Other side, I had an issue with the brake pad (mfr. EBC).
Normally 2 Metal stubs on the top of the pad and one stub on the bottom.
Stubs make it easy for assembly, I realized the bottom can simply swing into place after the top is in positon.
Well..
One of the pads was mfd wrong, the plate was put on backwards, or they put two left side pads in the box because it had 2 stubs on the bottom, or they did something else, who knows.
So, I made sure I didn't screw up and checked the pads closely.
I did correctly install them.
I couldn't believe EBC screwed up something like that.
I wasn't going to wait for anything or anyone at this point, I was frustrated and was very close to finishing.
I took my dang hack saw and cut one stub off so I could finish the job/swing the pad into place.
That solved / REMOVED the problem.
My rears are all done. AND no more vibrating, nice smooth quiest stops now.
I could have sworn the front was the causing the vibrating issue, even though I had just replaced rotors/pads there.
I 2nd guessed myself and my work since I don't do much work on my truck.
Anyways, I'm a happy camper.
I gave myself a big pat on the back after enduring all that hammering.
I actually did it myself, and SAVED HUGE BUCKS in the process.

 

Damn, what a PITA. - So the wheels came off okay and the rotors were froze ?

 

its amazing how much the rears vibrate forward, you have to remember that being on a solid axle vehicle, it has more effect on the rest of the truck, compared to independent suspensions

 

Hey jbrew.
The wheels did come off fine.
I regularly rotate them every other oil change.
Never had an issue with that (knock on wood).
Rotors were definitely frozen.
At one point, when they weren't moving at all,
I thought the rust buster wasnt even working, or I bought the wrong stuff.
Persistance paid off, but I really didnt' have choice to stop at that point.
I passed the point of no return, and had to move forward.

 

Perseverance pays off, glad you gotter fixed Never had the problems working on/maintaining the 98 as I was starting to have on the 01 - Had this one since new, - the 01 for short time. It was b^tch to change the oil and it a mother to rotate the tires. - Had to use blocks of wood and a air hammer, just to break the rims free - They had that Kung Fu grip. The 98 put that truck to shame as far as pulling, performance, all around. The 98 has over 1/4 million miles on it lol - 01 had 58,000 and both were 5fours, it was a 2wd and I purchased from a friend in trouble. I prefer a 4wd over a 2wd anyway, truck was bad luck lol. - I sold it right after the first of the year. At least I made a little cash on it. Gonna hold out for a Raptor or a Diesel 150 in the future.