I'm pulling the wheels to get at #1 plug. Figured I would check brakes while I'm at it. These rotors had worn the pads to metal once already. I was buzy at the time, and just put in a cheap set of pads. We have a new enhanced inspection in my state. If you flunk the safety inspection, you have to have your car towed to an authorised shop to have it fixed. The shops are connected with the registry. I smell a scam on this one. No longer can you flunk a safety inspection, and drive away. Emissions yes, safety no.
Anyway, while I have the rotors off, I'm just going to get new ones. I'm wondering if the new rotors for abs systems come with abs rings, or is that another problem?
Thanks

 

Hi Leo,

They come with the ring, but you might want to check to see if they really need to be replaced, since they cost twice the price of non-abs. Can you say "another scam?"

Cheers, Bob

 

Hi Bob, thanks for taking the trouble. I'll check them out for sure. I've changed enough rotors, but not the abs kind. Figure'd there'd be some PIA.

 

I learned my lesson from letting my pads wear down too far and gouge the rotors. Price for the new rotors from NAPA was a little over a hundred bucks for each one. The standard non ABS rotors were about sixty dollars if I remember correctly.

 

I just replaced the rotors on my '94 E150 4WABS...I bought the cheap $39 "Made in China" valuecraft rotors and they came with the tone ring. If you decide to go the cheap route, I would inspect the rotors at the store if they have enough and pick the best ones. One that I bought was great, but the other one had some casting sand left in the inside...even the cheaper Raybestos was not made in country, and I really couldn't afford the $160 rotors (That may or may not be made here).

 

Thanks for all the great tips. Am I the only one who thinks it's time they did something about these brake rotors?
My first set of factory pads ran metal to metal at 26,000 miles. Kinda maddening!!
Looks like I've got some shopping to do.
Thanks again guys, at least I know they come with the tone rings. That's something. Think I'll pull the wheels, and rent a dial indicator to check runout, Probably a good idea to bring them in to get the specs checked. or buy a micrometer myself.
Think it might be worth the investment since these Ford front brakes seem to self destruct pretty quick.
Thanks again, I really appreciate all the posts.

 

I checked runout on my rotors with a dial indicator...for occasional use an import indicator should be fine, an Enco branded set goes for $21.95 for the magnetic base, 1" travel by .001 indicator, point set and a universal clamp all as a set. I used the old brake rotor as a stable base to mount the magnetic stand to. Enco has free shipping on orders of $50 or more if there's something else in the catalog you want. With patience and time used Starret and Mitutoyos are plentiful on Ebay, but even with the good brands sometimes they are abused.


http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...&PARTPG=INLMPI

The free shipping over $50 code is 94FSNR which you enter into the promo code box at checkout.

 

Having the brakes last 26,000 miles sounds suspicious. I didn't notice if you had an E150 which has smaller brakes than the E 250 and E 350. Anyway It sounds like a problem I had for about 50,000 mi before I figured out it was my rear brakes. I have rear drums and the self adjusting mechanism had a broken cable and as time went on the rear brakes were not self adjusting and I was progressively stopping with the front brakes more and more. Just a thought if you have rear drums.

 

Hi John,
I don't know what happened to my signature. It used to show up on my posts. Anyway I have a '96 E150 hightop conversion van. I'm pretty sure they're heavier than a cargo van. Also 90% of my driving is around town, which is kinda hilly. That could be the reason for the premature pad failure.
I usually crawl under once in a while to tighten up the rear shoes. They're easy to get too.
I've heard from more than one source that the E-150 front brakes are undersized.
Plus it's an established fact that almost any vehicle uses about 70% front braking to stop it. At least that's what they told us in grease monkey school.
My first Ford van was similar. Changed the fronts 3 times to changing the rear drums once. Although the first set of pads lasted almost 50,000 miles.
I don't care much for highway driving. Probably because I drove a car carrier for 20 years..burnt out on turnpike driving. I hope Ford reads these Forums, and does something about the wimpy front brakes. They've been a problem for a long time.
Thanks all for the comments, and suggestions.
I have to say that except for the front brakes, I love everything about my ford vans.

 

Leo in the top right corner of your posts it says "Signature". If you hover your mouse pointer over that your signature will pop up.
Club FTE members (link on right side of page) can have a signature in their posts like it used to be done.

 

I just upgraded to PowerSlot rotors and it helped a lot!
allthough they are a little spendy at $125 a rotor...

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/566761

 

Hi Erik, I was really impressed with your van...I'm feeling a little jealous...NICE.
Racer guy, I don't have a computer. About three years ago they had the Web Tv on sale, $100. plus 6 months free service. I bit. You have directional arrows, but no mouse. Usually not a problem, except on the signature, can't seem to make it get on the right symbol. Admitedly computers are better, but I'm sitting in the Lazy Boy, nice and comfy, while I type. I like that part of it [wireless keyboard]. Thanks for the tip. We older guys can be stubborn about new electronics.

 

Leo I think maybe it's time you upgraded
A laptop is a bit harder to type on but you could sit in your Lazy Husband chair and use it. Or just buy a desktop and figure out some way to have it near your desk.
Heck if Tim The Toolman Taylor could have a Lazy Boy in his bathroom I'm sure you can figure out something
www.dell.com would have something for you I'm sure.

 

Racerguy, you're probably right about the upgrade. I tried to get an alldata subscription, and they told me my set wasn't up to it. Can't download PDF either. The rejection is brutal.