I have a '99 F150 with the 4 wheel disks. I've done numerous brake jobs on it. Pads, rotors, slides, etc. I replaced the front brakes about 3k ago. Since that time the drivers' front has had this grinding sound at some stops. That wheel is covered in brake dust too. I figured I had a stuck caliper or slider. I tore into it last night. The pads and rotor look good. I pulled the slider pins (which looked fine) and cleaned them. The caliper didn't appear stuck since both pistons went back in easy.

I put silencer stuff back on and bolted it all back together. I checked all of the torque's too.

And .... It still makes the noise.... I don't know what else to check.

Suggestions?

Thnks.

 

CHECK MY PROBLEM AT HELP FOR E-150. CLOSE TO YOURS??

 

I had the same problem on by 2000 sc 4x4. Turned out to be the pads, too much metallic in pads. Mix was off, returned set and changed brands. First set was carbon metallics from Autozone, replaced with Raybestos for about $16 more. Problem solved. You could see chunks of shiny metal in pads.

 

Cablslug,

I was thinking that it might be just that one set of pads. They are the same brand/type I've been using since change #1 oh so long ago. They are the CarQuest Fleet/HD pads. I expect a little noise from them and the others have had the normal squeak every now and then. The one on the passenger side is fine. I thought for sure when I tore into them the other night I would have had something evident.

Jim,

I don't think that it sounds like your problem. I have the rear disks. There is no noticeable pull to the side. I thought there was before I tore it apart but I can't get it to replicate it. I could have been feeling the same crown in the same spot of the road every time.


If it's the pad composition, I can't do anything other than replace them. They are lifetime pads so I will probably just let them go.

 

it is most commonly caused by dirt imbedded in the pad.

do the pads have an angle ground into the leading edge of the pad? (lets dirt in) did you clean the heck out of everything before you put the pads on? (dirt may of come from garage floor etc)

you can sometimes fix this by slightly sanding the pad surface then breaking them in again

 

I cleaned them fairly well. I didn't use a parts washer or anything like that. A couple of cans of brake cleaner and a wire brush. The pads do have the angled cut on the front and rear of the pad.

I guess I don't know what else to do other than replace the pads or just keep putting up with it.

 

that "cut/angle" that everyone is refering to, is the chamfer in the pad it is ther for a reason, for cooling. also these trucks have ceramic pads in them OE. ceramic pads are low dusting, ultra low noise and fade resistant. at our shop we used nothin but raybestos pads and have never had a complaint such as urs, for the reasons listed above.
Your friendly, digitally local, ASE cerified mechanic,
Josh

 

I think the carquest pads actually are raybestos. The little logo is on the back of the box in tiny print. No slam on the pads. I've been using them since the first pad change at 30k and now I'm at 116k. I've ruined more than one set from offroading and getting pebbles and such stuck in there. No complaints really. Just turn up the radios and don't look at all of the stares!

 

the chamferd(sp?) edge is not for cooling. it is there only for noise/vibration reduction.(It removes the hard leading edge of the pad which commonly causes vibration noise) and you will not see them on higher end pads because they let dirt in and cause the issue that started this thread.

i have seen mechanics that put that chamferd edge on new pads cause they know it helps keep them quiet.

now the groove in the middle of some pads IS for cooling.

 

The pads still have that chamfered edge on both sides...