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1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

van vibrates when braking

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Old Sep 22, 2017 | 06:45 AM
  #1  
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van vibrates when braking

Hi everyone, a few months ago, i brought our van to the garage to have them look at the brakes. The van and steering wheel vibrate when applying the brakes (above 30mph), it get worst at higher speeds.
The garage had changed the front discs and pads about a year ago (because of the same issue). the where nice enough to change the discs and pads again at no charge as the truck did hardly any miles within the year.
When i left the garage i tried it out, and they still vibrate
any ideas as to what this might be?
For fun, i looked at the brake fluid, which was quite dark. I've beed draining and filling the reservoir the last few days. Same issue.
Thanks
fab
 
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Old Sep 22, 2017 | 11:15 AM
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could be rims or tires IF they actually did the replacement
 
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Old Sep 22, 2017 | 11:31 AM
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hmm tires are relatively new. The rims are the original ones that came with the truck. when we go the van, it didnt do this. Mostly when we changed the pads and discs the last time.
fab
 
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Old Sep 22, 2017 | 02:28 PM
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It could be a worn steering arm, braking will exaggerate the play in them, mine does it, but not at every braking, did it before I replaced my wheels, I noticed the rubber coming out of my drivers side tierod end.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2017 | 02:38 PM
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Well, I noticed that the ends of the steering arm have rubber bushings, that seem gummy.
 
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Old Sep 22, 2017 | 03:44 PM
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those are the boots
tug on the tie rods themselves and check for play
 
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Old Sep 24, 2017 | 12:02 AM
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You might check Axel nuts. When I first got my van they were a bit loose. It would shake on breaking. That went away when I packed the bearings and tightened up the Axel nuts.
 
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Old Sep 26, 2017 | 10:53 AM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by lhoward1134
You might check Axel nuts. When I first got my van they were a bit loose. It would shake on breaking. That went away when I packed the bearings and tightened up the Axel nuts.
lhoward, you left out a key item regarding "axle nuts" and I'm sure you don't want to lead a newbie astray. Axle nuts are to be tightened to a small but specific amount to set the preload on the taper bearings. A shop manual for the specific year and model will advise how and the specifics.
Many years ago my younger brother bought a $200 blip-blap and felt possessed to snug the left front axle nut tight. Took it for a shakedown cruise and the left hubcap and grease cup blew off the wheel with fire shooting from the bearing! Live & learn.
 
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Old Sep 26, 2017 | 02:26 PM
  #9  
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Jeffreyclay is correct. It is a somewhat involved process that involves tightening and loosening and tightening and loosening and tightening if I remember right. You can find those instructions on the forum here somewhere.
 
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Old Sep 26, 2017 | 03:31 PM
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Yeah but what the heck is a "blip blap "?
 
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Old Sep 26, 2017 | 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Im50fast
Yeah but what the heck is a "blip blap "?
Usually an old, worn out sedan. In this case a lovely 1966 Chrysler 300. I thought the term would bring a smile to your face!

With original 440ci engine!
 
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Old Oct 6, 2017 | 10:13 AM
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I had this exact problem as well. I had already replaced all my bushings in my front end as I had just spring lifted it so I knew it was not a worn out bushing problem.
Went through disc machining , then replaced one of them.
Then took it to a brake specialist.
It ended up being caused by partly blocked brake lines. After replacing all my brake lines (4 wheel disc) and new front rotors my van brakes perfectly now. Before even on the highway I could feel pulsation because pads were not full retracting evenly.
 
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Old Oct 6, 2017 | 01:41 PM
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I had the same problem with my 96 E350. it was especially noticeable whenever I exited the interstate coming down the off ramp. The front end would shake like crazy. After two years, and trying a number of things, including new rotors, turning the rotors on the vehicle, etc., I broke down and purchased a set of really good racing rotors. It's been five years and I never had that problem again. I suspect that since I drive it hard I was probably overheating and warping the rotors, and the racing rotors are able handle the abuse.
 
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