Braking Wobble

[Chris Kulbaba]

Hey all, I have an 08 STA and when i brake at higher speeds (like 100km/hr) and when braking at slower speeds I have a pulsation in brakes... what should I be changing out to solve this? I've never had new pads but they aren't grinding or anything like that.



PS - Parts recommendations welcome! ie: brake pads, rotors...?



Thanks.

 

[EddieS'04]

Pulsation in the brake pedal is the ABS system working. If you also have some steering shimmy, warped rotors.

 

[Chris Kulbaba]

What if the wheel when jacked up moves a bit when moving at the top and bottom? Tie rod ends? Ball Joints?



It's not the ABS... Im not slamming them on just regular braking.

 

[EddieS'04]

Ball Joints.

If you have ABS and the joints are loose enough. It may be affecting the braking with control arm movement from loose ball joints..



Could be loose wheel bearings also.

 

[Al Joe]

Sounds to me like your rotors are warped - look into having them machined or replaced

 

[Mark Stadnicki]

An '08 with ball joint problems, hmmm?



It seams like this is a common problem, my '07 had the shimmies at around 25k miles. New rotors and pads cured the problem. My '10 is coming up on 16k miles and I'm sure it will start the shimmies soon with all the DC commuting I do.

 

[Lloyd Curry]

It's been a common problem for me. Ranger and Bronco II both had to have the rotors replaced due to warping.



So far my Trac hasn't experienced the problem.



Do not have the rotors machined. The warp will return. IMO, if you do it yourself, it's just as cheap to replace the rotors and that seems to permanently fix the problem.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

I am going with you need a brake job. If the rotors are in very good condition, have them turned. That said, the rotors on the Trac are poor compared to many out there and simply replacing them is often a better answer...

 

[Richard L]

I always like to look at the cheapest, easiest to repair and the most common problem, so:



Pulsing in the brake pedal is usually caused by slightly warped rotors, especially on Fords. That would be what I would look at first. If they are warped, replace the rotors and pads. To check for slightly warped rotors you will need a dial-indicator to check the run-out to detect the degree of warpage.



If the rotors are not warped, then it could be something wrong with the ABS system or one of the wheel sensors. Check all the sensors to insure they are spaced properly off the rotors and the mounting brackets are not bent or broke and there are not broken or frayed sensor wires. Also, make sure the strobe/tone ring on the back of the rotors is clean and in good shape.. That's what tells the ABS system if the wheel is spinning at the same speed as the other wheels.



...Rich

 

[kevinbakon]

There are a few threads regarding this on the site . . .

My '08 STA behaved the same after just a couple of months of owning the truck.

The dealer determined that it was the rotors, so they machined them.

It's been much better since, but always there.

Then my original Pirelli tires (notorious vibration issues) had to be replaced, once again improving, but not completely resolving the issue.

Most recently I had to have my driver's side outer rod replaced, once again improving the shimmy, but still not perfect.

Keep in mind I have regularly rotated & balanced as well as half a dozen alignments . . .