E150 Brake Upgrade: Pads + Rotors?

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Jan 12, 2018 | 03:53 PM

#16

wiskeyVI

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Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 699

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From: S. Illinois

Whoops. I forgot about the older wheel size on the 150..
Could always swap the fronts as well....But I agree, good pads are the best option.

Jan 19, 2018 | 05:37 PM

#17

krewat

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Joined: Jul 2002

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From: Long Island USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettex2

Rotors rarely warp

You are sadly mistaken.

Jan 19, 2018 | 06:50 PM

#18

vettex2

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Joined: Apr 2014

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From: N Ca.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krewat

You are sadly mistaken.

No, I'm not.
Typically it's pad build up being mistaken for warpage
That being said, it's obvious that rotors don't warp that often.
There are over 250 million registered vehicles in the US.
How many of those do you think are warped?
Can it happen? Does it happen?
Yes, it does but it's not that common.

I have warped them but I also had blue and purple spots on mine when I was done.
I've also smoked brakes like you wouldn't believe w/o warping the brakes too.
Literally red glowing discs. No warpage if cooled down properly.
The average joe never abuses the brakes like that.

Jan 19, 2018 | 07:00 PM

#19

krewat

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Joined: Jul 2002

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From: Long Island USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettex2

No, I'm not.

My dial indicator disagrees with you. '96 T-bird, '97 Cougar (even with the stock Mark VIII front brakes), '01 F250, and a myriad of other Fords, even Econolines that I've worked on. Most of them warped the rotors in the first 5K miles. A good solid set of Chinese made rotors, no more warpage.

And yes, I know how to use a dial indicator and how to get the max runout spec from a service manual.

Jan 19, 2018 | 09:41 PM

#20

vettex2

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Joined: Apr 2014

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From: N Ca.

Pad build up is the number one reason people think the rotors are warped.
your micrometer will see the build up as a thickness variation

I did brakes for 10 years. Built cars for 35 years
Been there, done that, bought the shirt

YMMV

Jan 20, 2018 | 02:05 PM

#21

6.0Vanman

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 103

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I like the Hawk pads. Good firm bite without eating up the rotors and not too much dust.

fr1010 used to work for 10% off at Frozen Rotors. Truck/SUV - Frozen Rotors

Jan 21, 2018 | 10:39 PM

#22

baddad457

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Joined: May 2003

Posts: 11,141

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From: south louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettex2

Rotors rarely warp
usually, it's just pad build up
spend your money on good pads

Ditto !. But if he's that hard on rotors and pads then he needs to change his driving and braking habits too. I changed its first rotors @ 130,000 miles this past year. Put cheap pads on it and run around Standing on the brakes at the last minute to stop and no matter what you put on it rotors will never last

Jul 5, 2019 | 05:13 PM

#23

Michael Rodriguez

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Joined: Jan 2017

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I found this thread when looking for brake upgrades for my E150

The most common cause of brake pulsation is lateral run-out cause by improper torquing of the wheel lugnuts. Brake rotors need to get extremely hot in order to cause thermal induced warping. It is always important to make sure the mating surfaces are clean as well

When there is lateral run-out present, the brake pad wears on part of the rotor more than other parts causing the thickness to vary. When the thinner part passes the pads, the pedal goes down. When the thicker part passes the pads the brake pedal goes up which cause brake pulsation.

I am a ASE certified brake tech and was taught this by several Mastertechs who were schooled on the subject many years ago.