OK, so call me an **** retentive, but when I need to replace disk brake pads, I go to my local discount auto parts place (rhymes with "Autobone"), buy new rotors, activate the lifetime warranty on the pads (they give me a new pair), buy new rear seals, go home and just put everything together, taking care to be very picky about how the calipers are cleaned and lubed. This usually gives me extremely long-lasting brake jobs with brakes that never pulsate as you stop.

This time, I noted that the rotors had _decreased_ in price, down from $69.99 (they have the ABS exciters built in) to $37.99, so I bought everything, went home and completed the repairs. The brakes worked very smoothly after this, except for the fact that the ABS would kick in, randomly, on an "old man driver - style" coast to a stop.

I called the 'zone, was told I must have done something wrong, etc., so I had the old rotors (1 year old $69.99 rotors from the same source) turned and replaced the rotors again. No ABS problem!

The only differences in the rotors are: (1) the new ones come in a box which proudly says "made in China" (2) The exciter ring on both consists of a sheet-metal flange with 53 holes, but the new style holes are slightly wider, thereby narrowing the metal between the holes. Hmmm.

Just for your information (my Explorer is a '93 XLT 2WD AT 4.0L pushrod)