Okay I have a 90 Aerostar with a 3.0L two wheel drive and I'm eating up Rotors on average every 6 months or roughly 10,000 KMS.

They go out of round and start chattering once the brakes are applied.
I'm thinking it's because of heat build up.

I just found out that the 92 and up rotors have directional cooling fins and was wondering if they will cross over to my 90 and how much this will help me.

Also any other ideas or things to look for.

77 AMX

 

If you have the Slide pins with the rubber in between, that could also be the cause of your problems. If you don't clean and lube them real good, the calipers will not move correctly. This will cause warpage and premature wear of your pads.
My wife has a '93 3.0 shorty. I'm not sure if yours has the pins I'm referring to. Actually, I'm not sure of the correct term or name. Some one will chime in I'm sure...

-reever

 

77AMX,

Yes, the 92 and up rotors with the directional vents will fit earlier vans. There was only one rotor size that came on Aerostars (too small), and there were two types; one for the 2WD, which is integrated with the hub and bearings, and the 4wd, which is just the rotor that slips onto the hub on the spindle. I am using the 92-up design on my 1990 van right now, with some HD brake pads. It's been several months, and they have lasted longer than my previous replacements without warping.

When you install yours, you should follow REEVER's advice on cleaning those slide pins. I have mine slick enough that I can move the caliper with my hands. Then make sure the correct rotor is installed on each side. In case they are not marked, you should install them such that the outer ends of the vents point backward at the top. Vented rotors work by centrifugal force to throw the air outward. If you have the vents pointed the wrong way, they will try to scoop air inward, which will fight the centrifugal force, creating a stagnant air region in the rotor. This will make them heat up faster than the non-directional rotors.

 

One of the causes of warped brake rotors (particularly on Fords) is over-torqued lug nuts. Cause #1 of over-torqued lug nuts is the use of impact guns to install the wheels.

I had a shop put new tires on my car (previous car - a Ford) about 10 years ago. Within a few months both front rotors were warped. This car had previously been my mother's and she had recurring problems with warped rotors.

Since that incident I always take the wheels off at home and just have the tire shop mount the tire. I install the lugs with a torque wrench. I drove that car for another 8 years without having problems with warped rotors. The only reason I replaced rotors in that time was for rust pitting.

I have not had problems with warping on any other vehicles, either.

Make sure your brake shop uses a torque wrench to install the lug nuts.

Cheers,
Eric

 

Wow Thanks Guys for the quick responses!!

I ended up doing the brakes today ( I get one last turn of this set of rotors!!!)

Lubed up the contact points on the callipers and Will have to check the torque on the lug nuts ( Wow who know!! )

Hoping to get a little more use out of this turn. And Once these go, I'm opting for the 92 rotors.

Thanks again guys for the get tips and the speedy advise.

Cheers


MARK M

 

Are your rear brakes working properly?
If they arent then the front ones do too much work and overheat.