Hello All...
I've been researching some of the threads here hoping for some advice on a bad brake job on my '01 Super Crew. I had a local brake company (Brakeway) put on brand new brakes and hardware for around $400. Two days later, I had an awful clicking, popping and grinding noise coming from the front end--it sounded like I was clanking metal on metal. I took it back to the shop and they said nothing was wrong with what they did. I then took it to another one of their Brakeway garages and the tech said my hardware was bad and was not holding the pad tight in between the caliper and rotor--causing the popping/clanking noise. He put new hardware on and two days later...the popping is back. After that, they would not look at my truck again (long story), so I went to a local Ford dealership. Immediately, they said my front rotors were badly warped--even though Brakeway said there were no problems and only had to turn them. So, I had Ford put new rotors on the front (another $425 expense). Three days later I am hearing the same popping/clicking noise when the brakes are applied and I'm coming to a stop. Any ideas? This is driving me nuts. HELP!!

 

You need to choose one place and stick to it...that way there is some accountability.

In either event, with warped rotors, you'd feel the shimmy when applying the brakes.

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That being said, you had a problem, Brakeway should have fixed the problem for free. I'd demand my money back from them, call corporate headquarters, call the owner, call the BBB, whatever you have to do.

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Now on the other hand, you can look at it this way. You had a problem with your truck. You took it to Ford to have your truck fixed. You paid $425 to have your truck fixed, and it is not fixed. Sure, they replaced your rotors and probably did a few other things for that price, but the fact of the matter is, you didn't go there and tell them you wanted new rotors, you went there with a problem, were willing to pay to have it fixed, they say they fixed it, charged you a premium, and the problem still exists. You NEED to go talk to the service advisor and if he is unhelpful, talk to the service manager. If the service manager doesn't help, ask for the general manager. If they still give you crap, tell them you are calling Ford directly and possibly the BBB.

Now of course, remember that while doing this, you need to be nice and carry yourself properly, but don't let these guys see weakness or anything uncertain about you. Go in with a goal, and get it. They will fix it for free, I can guarantee it.

 

Thanks, deapee. A complaint to BBB against Brakeway has been submitted. I'm hoping to recoup some of that money.

In regards to the rotors, I didn't feel any weird vibration, bounce, etc., before taking it to Ford. I just kept getting a noise like someone was tapping a stick against an aluminum garbage can when I applied the brakes and was almost to a complete stop. It's interesting to me that two diffrerent fixes made it go away temporarily. I am definitely only going back to Ford to fix this. The Brakeway guys seemed a little shady.

Thanks again for replying...

 

Alot of times, these clowns forget to clean the surfaces, use new hardware and properly lube, Anti-sieze is what I use/recommend. They may be overlooking something like a bad caliper or forgetting to tighten things. Good luck to you, at least the Ford dealer will keep taking it back till they can fix it right.

 

If you feel uncomfortable doing your own brake service then definitely research your area thru the folks you know and find a reputable garage and get to know the personnel there on a first name basis.

However, many on here will tell you to get good at doing the maintenance stuff yourself so you know what comes out, off, and what goes back on. As the old saying goes "if you want something done right the first time, you got to do it yourself"

Not to mention that doing the maintenance stuff at home will save so much $$ that garages charge in labor.

Good luck with the BBB against the first place you went to.

 

Thanks again for all of the quick responses. In a sudden change of events, I traded my 2001 Lariat SuperCrew for a 2004 FX4 SuperCrew. Now I need to start all over on making this bad boy unique. Thanks again!!