Wondering if anybody has had to turn thier rotors due to vibration when braking? When I brake my steering wheel shakes at a certian speed then goes away in addition to brake squeel. I had this problem in the past with my 94 single cab f150 and turning the rotors fixed it. However after a few thousand miles it returned. This is most likely due to my driving habbits however did not occur with my Maxima, Escort, or Frontier. I read on some site its in part due to uneven cooling of the rotors after heavy braking. Anybody know of some better rotors or pads to buy that can help minimize this effect. Im sure somone here has had a similar experiance.

FYI I recently rotated my tires and it helped a bit but the issue is still very apparent.

 

I had to get my rotors resurfaced at about 1500 miles due to brake shake. Resurfacing eliminated the vibration. But now I have about 3500 miles, and it's starting to do it again. I read in some other post that Ford has new rotors that are less prone to warpage. But Ford will only authorize new rotors if the existing rotors are unfit for resurfacing. I will be taking it in to the dealer again shortly; hopefully they will replace the rotors this time since they have already been turned once.

 

Did Ford do this under warranty? I called them and explained the issue but they said that is typically not covered under the warranty. I need to take my system in for a oil change this weekend and I think I might mention it to them so they can look at it. It would be nice to get rid of it.

 

Yes, it was done under warranty. The dealer didn't give me any problems about it. When I explained what was happening, they almost immediately said they would probably have to resurface the front rotors (under warranty, of course).

 

All i had was a bad squeel and grooves, they turned the rotors . Been about 400 miles since done and its still ok. It squeeled when i bought it had them done at 5700 miles.

 

I had 43000k on my rig and they were shaking on my brake pedal and I could see grooves in the rotors...I took it to the Ford Dealer and they test drove it...

Then the turned down the front rotors...I asked them if they replaced the pads..They claimed they were only half wore and it did not need new pads...As there were grooves as well in the rotor I thought the pads should have been changed to match the smooth rotors...What's your opinion ?? They also had to adjust the back brakes as the pedal was going way down...

Having been in my dad's car as a 13 year old when his brakes when out on a hill..anything to do with my brakes and tires makes me nervous...

 

I took my truck in for 6k service last week right before I took it to get the lift put in. I switched dealers because this new one is supposed to have exceptional service, and from what I can tell, they do. I talked to the service head while my truck was being looked at and explained about the squeaky and grooved rotors and how I was getting the lift put in. He said he could not authorize warranty work without the service manager there (guess different from service lead) but they would document the grooved rotors and squeaking so it was logged before I put the lift in, this way the new tires could not be blamed for it. The service rep also said he would not reccomend turning the rotors and their service manager typically does not like to do that either because they usually see that customer again in about 3k miles for new rotors anyway.

 

I'd never turn rotors and then use the same pads unless it was under 5000 miles. Ask them if they'd warrant a brake job that where you replaced pads and didn't turn replace rotors or vice versa.

 

Maybe this is why you didn't get new pads....

C&P from the Ford F150 service manual
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Brake Pads

NOTE: It is not required to install new brake pads if friction material properties are within guidelines. It is also not required to install new brake pads when the brake discs are machined.

Remove the brake pads. For additional information, refer to Front Disc Brake—2WD , Front Disc Brake—4WD or Rear Disc Brake in this section.
Inspect and measure the thickness of the brake pad friction material.
Install new brake pads if the thickness of the friction material is less than 3.0mm (0.118 inch). For additional information, refer to Front Disc Brake—2WD , Front Disc Brake—4WD or Rear Disc Brake in this section.
Compare all 4 front or rear pads for uneven wear. Install new brake pads if the thickness of the friction material varies from pad to pad by more than 2.0mm (0.079 inch). For additional information, refer to Front Disc Brake—2WD , Front Disc Brake—4WD or Rear Disc Brake in this section.
Install new brake pads if there are missing chunks or cracks in the lining through to the backing plate. For additional information, refer to Front Disc Brake—2WD , Front Disc Brake—4WD or Rear Disc Brake in this section.
If the friction material shows taper wear (i.e. the thickness varies by more than 3.0mm [0.118 inch] in any direction) verify the caliper guide pins are functioning correctly. Refer to Brake Caliper Guide Pins in this section.

 

Thanks klassic...That does explain now why they told me what they did...They did measure the pads and said I didn't need them replaced yet...But if I did it would be under warranty...I feel better now knowing they were not shorting me...I trust this dealer's crew and after this happened it made me wonder...Reading your report explains they were not doing anything wrong...

 

Does anyone know how long the factory warranty covers brakes (pads & rotors)? I can't seem to locate my warranty booklet

 

Mine says 3 years or 60,000k....

 

I believe its 1 year 12k miles actually for brake pads and rotors

 

I checked with my dealer now and he said its a wear item that does not get warranty persay but...They do look at what caused a problem if its the pads and rotors that came new on the rig...12 months for a manufacture defect ...

Sense Ford changed how they make the brake pads about 2+ years ago they wear the rotors much more now...Rust also has caused wear issues ...If the rotor is warped with the original pads on they will turn it for me he said...Which they did 2 months ago at no charge...

So I was wrong about the 36 months warranty thing...Does not work for wear items...