Braking issue

[Doug Feck]

When I apply my brakes I get a vibration/shutter through the steering wheel and brake pedal. I replaced my rotors and pads because I thought I had a warped rotor. This did not cure the problem. It's worse when I'm at higher speeds then lower. Would a caliper act this way or something else?



Thanks,

Doug

 

[Gavin Allan]

Warped calipers. (I meant rotors!) Replace them and use a torque wrench next time and tighten the wheel lug nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper torque.

 

[Richard L]

Gavin,

Warped calipers????? :wacko:



dfeck,

Your symptoms are normally caused by warped rotors and you said you replacede your rotors and pads. Did the vibration return immediately after the brake job or later?



You should use a dial indicator to measure rotor runout to insure that the new rotor is not warped. I have never had problems with a new rotor, however other's have claimed that they purchased new rotors that were warped because of improper shipping/storage?



The other possibility is that the rotors are not the correct type or not installed correctly and that the ABS tone ring is not the correct one or the sensor is misaligned. If the sensor is not detecting the tone ring properly it may be activating the ABS causing the brakes to pulse. You can check this by simply pulling the ABS fuse to deactivate it. If the pulsing stops, the ABS was causing the problem and you need to examine the sensors and tone ring. If pulsing continues after the ABS is deactivated, then you may still have a warped rotor.



If you have a 4X2 you may have installed the wrong wheel bearing or installed them incorrectly. 4X4's have sealed wheel bearings and the rotors are separate parts.



...Rich

 

[Doug Feck]

Rich,



The vibration/shutter was there before I had the brakes done. I originally thought the rotor was warped that's why I had the rotors and pads replaced. But that didn't cure the problem. The vibration/shutter was there before and after the brake job. I'll check the ABS brake fuse technique you described later today.



Thanks,

Doug



BTW - I never heard of warped calipers either but I'll check around and see if that may be a problem.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Warped calipers are not your issue....

 

[Doug Feck]

I talked to the mechanic that did the brake job and he thinks it may be a warped rear drum. The ST has 88K miles on it and the rear's have not been changed. Does this sound like a reasonable response? He says to bring it in and he'll turn the drums to see it that cures the problem.



Doug

 

[Todd Z]

The pulsation in the pedal should be cured by the cutting of the rear drums... If the rears are out, some times you do not feel that until you replace the fronts.

As far as the steering wheel shaking, If the NEW front rotors where not clean cut before they where installed, I would get that done.

Since you said the front end shake was there prior to the new front work, I would lean toward a bad tire or some other front suspension part that may be bad..

Have the front end, specifically the ball joints and steering components checked..

Todd Z

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Going down the road apply the Emergency brake a bit and see if you feel the vibration. If so, it is in the rear end. If not, then you have an issue in the front end...

 

[Richard L]

defeck,'

The above solutions are good advice, however the rear drums will not cause the steering wheel to shake, so I still think you have a problem with the front brakes. Perhaps the mechanic bumped the ABS sensor and knocked it out of alignment, or perhaps the new rotor is warped as previously stated?



...Rich

 

[Doug Feck]

I did a few things last night that has me more confused. I removed the fuse for the ABS brakes and there's still a vibration when I apply my brakes. I also applied the emergency brake ONLY and there is no vibration. It appears the vibration is ONLY noticeable when I apply the front brakes. I did narrow the problem down to a vibration not a pulsating or shutter. The steering wheel doesn't move as much as I thought it did. Since I had the problem before the brake job I don't believe it's the new rotors or pads. Maybe but not likely! Other than the vibration when applying the brakes the ST drives fine at all speeds and I hear no weird noises when cornering. Could calipers or air in the brake lines cause this?



Thanks,

Doug

 

[Kevin Palmer]

I would bet you have defective rotors.



When you buy new rotors you should not have to have them turned. But in your case, your chasing a ghost. I would pull the rotors and have them turned or checked while on the lathe with a dial indicator.

 

[Richard L]

dfeck,

if you had the vibration before the rotors were replaced, and you still have the vibration, you should have the rotors checked with a dial indicator while they are mounted on the vehicle. Many vehicle manufacturers including Ford recommend having the rotors turned while mounted on the vehicle as well. There is a special motor and lathe system that will attach to the front spindle and turns the rotor with a belt drive. This will eliminate any runout or unusual cummulative error problems between mating parts like the spindle, bearings and rotor.



...Rich