Hey guys, Ive been reading some of these threads re: 04' brake concerns and i must say im a bit disheartned! My truck began shuttering when braking at around 10 k, and i just havent had the time to get it in for a service @ the dealer... Anyways, it looked like alot of you suggested that we 04' f-150 owners replace all of our pads with the ceramic type ( less dusting, better stopping power and last longer...) Anyone else concurr with this opinion? After reading one of your threads late last night I went back online and bought a complete set of the Akebono ProAct brake pads. The full set cost me about $165 inc. 2-day shipping and Im hoping it was worth the expense as the dealer indicated that they would replace the pads for free if,after re-surfacing the rotors, they determined it to be caused by factory defect.. Hmmm, anyone else out there convert to the ceramic brake pads, Akebono in particular? Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

If you are having problems with brake shudder revised rotors are scheduled to be released at the beginning of the year to address the problem.

 

With the truck being new why would you screw with it? Take it to the dealer and make them fix it. That is the benefit of a new truck. It has a warranty.

 

Hey all,

The only problem so far with my brakes is that the passenger rear drags sometimes, just hangin a little. I have a apointment with the dealership tomorrow for an oil change and to check out the draging.

Other then that I would say they stopped my huge heavy truck from 120 very well. hehehehe, no heat cracks yet, but give it time, lol I am hell on brakes, Just cant wait for a nice set of slotted rotors for all corners.


5.4

 

ok I had the same problem and thanks to your post I decided to drive my lazy *** back to the dealer i bought my truck from rather than the local dealer to see what they had to say. My rotors warpted at 10k also, and at 15 i was told i needed pads. Screw that, so the OG dealer took a look and as it turned out they found a tech artical about it. They replaced my rotors, brake pads, and for some reason even repalced the rack for my steering and did the alignment........... so yeah take your truck back and make them look it up.. this was all free and i was given a rental car while they took car of it!

 

what dealer did all of that for you...if you don't mind my asking?

 

it was Fairview Ford in San Berdo. The service dept there rocks. All of my stuff was coverd under warranty.

 

The Ford OE pads on the F-150 are the majority of the problem, they are a very aggressive compound and tear-up the rotors a lot causing dust and DTV (disc thickness variation) which gives you the pulsation. Yes the dealer will "repair" your truck, but I doubt it will "fix" your truck, the same pads will be put on and do the same thing the first set did to your freshly machined rotors.

Mid-year 2004 Model Ford added a "return spring" that is mounted on top of the pads, this was done to help keep the pads from "kissing" the rotor during driving, (a band-aid on a cancer). A set of ceramic pads will eliminate most (if not all) of your problems.

Regarding Akebono, I believe they are trying to or are in the process of getting some business from Ford on these trucks. I know Akebono has the OE pads on Mustangs and Explorers with a lot fewer brake complaints. The Expedition is a different brake than the F-150, but has the same problem.

 

Warped Rotors in the front at 14K. Im gonna have to find a good set of slotted and a new set of pads.

5.4

 

I have an 04 SCrex FX4, I started having problems with my truck at about 6000 miles, when cruising at very very low speeds 5mph (on traffic most of the time) my truck would start like if the pads were "kissing" the rotors. I got the rotors rectified and the problem got solved. I used the opportunity to change the pads (not OEM) and now I have a vibration (like if the pad was vibrating against the rotor) when braking to a complete stop from 20mph.

My guess is the brake pads are causing this.
My question is: Where can I get a set of good ceramic brake pads for my 04 FX4? IF you guys know a place that would ship to Mexico City that would be perfect.

Thanks!!!

Arturo

 

dont mean to hijack the post but will having a afermaqrket set of rims and tires void any warenties concerning the brakes?BRAKE DUST IS MY ENEMY!!!!

 

Ive had brake problems on my 05 2wd s/crew f150 since ive bought my truck in dec 04.. i dont know if its normal for the newer trucks to have to press down quite a bit befor it starts slowing down n since about 500 miles my brakes have always made a noise but the dealer never seems to see anything wrong... is it just how the trucks are?

 

I had the squealing from shortly after I got my 04 XLT thanksgiving '04, wasn't sure if it was wearing in or what. Noticed that there was some minor grooving on the rotors recently so I mentioned it when I went in for my free oil change at 3K. Honestly it was the easiest time I've ever had with a vehicle problem. Within 30 minutes, not only had they changed the oil, they had driven the truck, determined the brakes were unnaturally noisy, and figured out that they didn't have any replacement pads in stock until the next day. So I brought it back the next day, left it overnight due to some schedule conflicts, and it was done at noon the following day. I just got home with it and it's silent. We'll keep our fingers crossed that it stays that way. Turns out they swapped pads and turned the rotors up front.

~Rob

 

I have an '04 2WD Lariat. I got tired of the dust and wanted to avoid shudder problems down the road.

I chose the NAPA Ceramix pads for around $65-70.

The installation took exactly 5 Minutes for both front pads. Simply unfasten the lower caliper bolt and fold the caliper up. Slide the old pads out, slide the new pads in, and voila'. Apply threadlocker to the caliper bolt, torque to spec. and you're done.

The Ceramix pads are "low dusting" pads and they certainly cut the accumulation of dust to a manageable level.

Be considerate of the new pads within the first 200 miles, avoiding moderate or heavier braking, permitting the pads to "bed in" to the rotor. After that, you're good to go.

I've put a few thousand on it since then without any noise, shudder, or problems. The braking seems very solid, and the one heavy stop I did seemed very quick, surprising me.

 

To In*un Matt,

Although, I often tire of having to be "politically correct" as well, and you may be unaware of how unfunny, pathetic and racist that it is and even though I may bring the wrath of the webmasters upon me for saying so, I feel compelled to state to you in as articulate a manner as possible, that........

YOUR SCREEN NAME SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!