Brakes AGAIN!!! Rotor suggestions

[Jeff Geist]

I'll try to make my situation as short as possible. Early summer my brakes start squeaking while driving. Shop checks the rears and fronts. Am told I need front rotors cut and the brakes are getting close. So I say, cut the rotors. Fixes squeaking while driving but not while applying brakes. I grab new brake pads (thermo quiets), Ford installs. 2 days later, applying brakes squeak is back. I say install new rotors (Ford). They do. 2 days later, squeaking back. They cut rotors the other day. Day later...you guessed it...squeaking is back. I will go in tomorrow to give them another shot (to cut rotors) before they end up replacing rotors (which I am very confident that this will happen). They told me that with the new rotors, they have to keep shaving the rotors until it gets to a certain width before they (Ford) can replace.



It amazes me how a shop can not fix a squeaking brake problem after several attempts. I don't know if this shop is clueless or if they are just following Ford procedures. Anyway, if I have to get another set of rotors installed, does anyone have any suggestions on aftermarkets? I'm not looking for anything fancy...I just want to be able to stop without everyone hearing me stop within a half mile radius. The good news is my new steering wheel is in and they can replace that tomorrow when they attempt to fix the brakes again. The truck still runs great and have had minimal problems (minus the new tranny at 12k) over the years. This is just annoying.



Maybe I'll record the brakes squeaking and leave messages for the office manager and everyone in the service department and ask, "does this sound annoy you"? Maybe they'll understand then.

 

[Tom Schindler]

I think you need to take a road trip. Tell me when you will be here. I will show you how to do it right the first time yourself.





Tom

 

[Todd Z]

There is a TSB out there that the rear brakes squealing makes it sound like the fronts...

this may not be it, But I know In my case it was.. I replaced the fronts and the noise was still there until I replaced the rears,, Well the dealer did under the warrenty...

also a good anti squeal lubricant should be used, and not just the shims on the back of the pads, and the slides should be taken apart and lubed as well, not just checked..

Just a thought....

Todd Z

 

[Gary L]

I had the same problem a month ago with the dealer ... and after 5 attemp and i demand my money back they change it with a brake call brown box which is the same orginal brake they put on from the factory. and i have no more sqeeling ....and yes i also had my rotors cut and then they replace them and it would still squeel but after they put those pad on the squeel stop

So I'd suggest that u tell them that u want the Brown box Brakes and that will take care of your problem insted of spend moremoney on rotors

 

[Jeff Geist]

Thanks, Caymen. I remember posting my first issues several months ago and getting your invitation. It has definitely crossed my mind. The 7-hour trip may be worth fixing these brakes AND learning how to fix them myself. I try to learn as much as I can about the ST but brakes are pretty important and don't want to find out at 45 MPH, that I screwed up the installation. Going to the shop takes about an hour each time I have to go there...so I'm already up to 4 hours invested.

 

[Jeff Geist]

Star86...I really don't think (and hope) it isn't my brake pads. After all, I just put on the Raybestos Quiet Stops.



Scott - keep me posted. Hope you find the right mix of brakes and rotors to fix the squeaking. I agree...too many good games on. Baseball (Phils win but lose last wild card spot) and football (Go eagles!).



Todd Z - I'm going to ask about the spray. It's the least they can do. This TSB sounds like a ventriliquist. The noise sounds like it's coming from the front...but really it's the rears.

 

[Aaron Laake 2]

Turn your stereo up. You won't hear any squeeking.



The Hawk

 

[Mark Evangeline]

Hi, new to the group but thought I'd chirp in about this problem. I have an '01 that has had the squealing brake problem on and off since I drove off the lot. Dealer no help other than trimming rotors and roughing the pads, both to the point of replacement a couple of times under warrenty. Brake shop no help till they went to the ceramic pads but now it's back. Currently at the end of my fourth set of rotors. The lastest theory is that Ford under sized the calipers for fuel economy, the fix is now going to be to replace them with larger light weight calipers and of course new rotors and pads. I love my rig but this has been a headache.

 

[Gary L]

Hefhay

Have someone drive the truck while u stand out side and listen to see if it is your front or back Brakes.. at least that was what the mechanic did @ the dealer and told me that they're going to order a special typed of brakes which is Brown box pads. If i had do the brakes myself and bought the same brake that they put on which was motor craft pad . they'd not have squeal because I'd grease them in places that the dealer don't do. u have u have grease certain part on the pad which by Ford manual the tech will not do in order to get them from not squealing Remember Ford Tech goes by a Manual and the tech as to follow it like Cayman said he can show u how and u wouldn't have that problem. but i hope u get it fixed

 

[Tom Schindler]

Like I said, if interested, send me an email. I am dead serious too. I can help you go through everything and show you want to do. You will learn how to fix it yourself. Nothing to worry about. I went as far as converting the rear drums to disks. I know a thing or two about Trac brakes. They are rather simple and don't take long at all to do everything.



After the rear brakes were completed, the following weekend, I pulled the front rotors off, had them turned and took the old pads back and got new ones. No noise, no squeaks, and braking power is awesome.





Tom