we have a new 2011 E350 regular cargo van that just tuned 23k. At 11k we had a bad brake shimmy took it too the dealer and they said we were overload and glazed the front rotors. So they machined the rotors and block sanded the pads and reinstalled everything and it was good for around three to four thousand miles. Then it started again but worse this time, so we brought it back in and the dealer said are van is still overloaded causing the front rotors to glazed, this time my dad took the van and we removed everything and brought it to a semi scale got it weighed. After we only had 1861 pounds of cargo loaded up and thats with me at 200lbs sitting in the drivers seat. We took the slip to the dealer and they said the van is still overloaded and we must be driving the van too hard. So they sanded the pads again and its been good until a couple weeks ago when all the front does is shimmy as soon as you push on the brakes. So now I'm ust gonna work on our van myself this time, i say buy new rotors and pads and install them, my dad wants to cut the rotors again and buy new pads and "see" what happens, so what do you guys think we should do?

 

shimmy sounds like a warped rotor, im 99% sure this happens when the heat up unevenly, and also when they are too thin to resist the heat build up that occurs naturaly while driving.

I would replace the rotors. For more than a few reasons...

 

Moved to the 1968 - Present Full Size Vans forum.

 

Gonna go with warped rotor, mine did it, found both front rotors were shot, the van's are heavy, stopping generates a lot of heat, could have started with a bad pad, but the stealerships idea of sanding it and putting it back on was far from the correct, or even smart way to repair it.

 

Also agreeing you've got warped rotors and more than likely not due over loading----very possible they're just defective rotors and need replaced. Remember to check the calipers for excessive heat signs too----the pads would be best just replaced though. Check also the caliper slides.

Maybe do an internet search as well as FTE under the TSB/Recalls section---if this is common on your year and model it'll have a big footprint and give you some ammo for the stealership to fix this properly. From your description it does not sound like driver abuse at all!

Let us know what you find or is done to cure this----it'll be helpful to someone else I'm sure. Best of luck!

 

thanks guys, we called the dealer yesterday and talked to the manager again. He said if its the same as before they will not fix it, thats its the way we drive the van and noone else is coming in with this problem. So i guess after almost twenty trucks bought from this dealer they dont care about loyality anymore. In the future me, my father and anyone esle who asks me wil not go to this dealership anymore.

 

Take it to another dealer, don't tell them about already doing so, as they will side with each other.

 

first of all, check your rear brakes, are they working at all? support the rear axle on blocks or jackstands, shift to drive and see if you can spin them while holding the brakes. if they aren't working, the front brakes are carrying twice the load and can be expected to fail in that way
whatever happens there, you're looking at new pads and rotors up front

 

Wouldn't that OASIS thing come into play though---this is a 2011 van.

 

I just know from experience, mention bad service or lack of ability to solve problems, and you'll get a deaf ear, yet it is a road/safety hazard.

 

With all due respect this was "a new 2011" FORD "that just tuned 23k". Screw "loyality".

Isn't FORD obligated under their New Vehicle Limited Warranty? What does "3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper coverage" mean? DIY?

 

I would be highly surprised if any dealership will replace the rotors under warranty. Brake components are considered a normal wear item, and as we see they'll turn them, but that is a bandaid.

The cheapest way out of this is to buy new rotors and install yourself.

 

Vans are hard on brakes; I have had warped rotors on just about every van I've ever owned. I had an '86 GMC which had the rotors turned about 3 times and they would keep warping. The thinner they get, the more easily they warp. The 4th time, I took it to a repair shop and they said there was still enough meat to turn them again--but I told them to put the old rotors in a trash can and just put new ones on. That solved the problem. My E150 had the rotors warp when the van was pretty new and the dealer turned them once. They eventually developed a mild shimmy, and when it was time for new brakes at about 40k miles, the rotors were too thin to take another turn, so I got new rotors put on. The new rotors warped within about 5k miles and the dealer turned THOSE once; they went to about 85k miles and were once again too thin to take another turn.

One thing to be careful of is putting the wheels on; if the dealer, you, or a tire shop is using an air wrench, this can warp the rotors and you can sometimes make the rotors run straighter by loosening the lugs and hand tightening them with a torque wrench in a star pattern.

Rotors and pads do not officially fall under warranty as they are considered wear items. Most dealers will turn them once under warranty and after that you are on your own. I understand that you are angry at your dealer, but I'm guessing that Ford will not reimburse them for new rotors for your van. Just buy some good rotors and put them on. Good luck,
George

 

Raybestos parts, or look to do it again, no parts store brands.

 

I'm about to do the brakes on my recently purchase 1999 E-350 and I'm in the market for brake parts.

What makes you say that? Enlighten me, please?