Steering Wheel Vibrates When Braking
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 949
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From: SoCal
Steering Wheel Vibrates When Braking
Hi Guys, The title says it all. Thinking we need rotor machining or new front rotors. Read the tech thread post about cementite.
We have the 6.8 4x4 2001. Mostly use it for towing 6K #. Bought 2 years ago. Front and rear brakes were new and all 4 rotors were machined at Ford dealership prior to purchase. Have put on 13,000 miles since then, majority towing.
Taking in today to get taken care of. Please give me the short answer of what we probably need. If new brakes rotors what brand do most of you use?
Thanks!
CM
We have the 6.8 4x4 2001. Mostly use it for towing 6K #. Bought 2 years ago. Front and rear brakes were new and all 4 rotors were machined at Ford dealership prior to purchase. Have put on 13,000 miles since then, majority towing.
Taking in today to get taken care of. Please give me the short answer of what we probably need. If new brakes rotors what brand do most of you use?
Thanks!
CM
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 423
Likes: 2
From: Cypress TX
Really sounds like warped rotor(s). If you don't know how fresh they are, I would just throw a new set on the front. I've always had really good luck with Centric brand brake products and would highly recommend them for rebuilt calipers, rotors, lines, and hardware.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
It's a common misconception that rotors warp. I believed it myself for years. That vibration you feel are cementite deposits on the rotors. Cementite is a compound creating by the intense heat and pressure of braking. Some people call them hot spots and you can see them on the face of the rotor. You cannot machine the problem away. You have to get new rotors. Many people have many different opinions on what brand of rotor they prefer, but the cheap ones just don't seem to work well on these trucks. These are the ones I have on my truck. No vibration at all so far.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: SoCal
P.s. Are brake pads usually replaced at same time as rotors?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
I saw ones on Amazon you posted but since I'm not doing myself many shops use what they use don't they? They don't usually use customer supplied parts. Need done this week since next weekend we are camping in mountains. Don't want to drive down mountain towing without tip top brakes.
This is another reason why I do almost all of my own work. There are no cheap replacement parts on my truck, I can attest to that.
P.s. Are brake pads usually replaced at same time as rotors?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
I don't use cheap pads, but then again I like my truck to stop when I want it to. The pads on mine are about $80 an axle. Not exactly cheap enough to throw in the garbage just for the sake of changing them while you're in there.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 949
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From: SoCal
Different shop quoted me much more reasonable price on new brakes and rotors plus steering damper (from other thread) and installing bumpstops.
He wants to use Akebono pads and rotors. Yay or nay?
He wants to use Akebono pads and rotors. Yay or nay?
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Thanks, they said deposits so they recommended deglazing. Does that mean they're not perfectly flat?