jumpy brakes
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Joined: May 2004
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jumpy brakes
I have a 95 f-150 4x4 with really jumpy brakes. I just put new pads and rotors on the front of my truck and every time I have to stop fast the whole truck starts shaking and vibrating almost to the point where I don't want to stop I just want to run over what is in front of me. My front brake calipers have 2 bolts that hold them on, every ford I have seen had the pins in them. Should I have both or is something else wrong? I looked in the Hanyes manual and it has a diagram or caliper support keys. Could that be the problem? Thanks to anyone that has an answer.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
"Jumpy" is a vague description, but I *think* I understand what you are driving at.
Might be the front end is a bit loose, check your ball joints, pitman arm and various linkages. Under heavy braking these might be loose enough to vibrate, but not under regular driving where the load on those parts isn't as great as heavy stopping.
Alignment could be part of it if the truck pulls to one side when braking... sometimes that can cause pulsating brakes.
More often than not, its caused by the caliper not sliding correctly on the pins (meaning they need to be greased), which in turn applies most of the braking power to one side of the rotor, warping it. Could be bad wheel bearings as well.
Sadly, sometimes this stuff is not always so obvious and takes a little investigation, since the steering and the front brakes work together as one system.
Might be the front end is a bit loose, check your ball joints, pitman arm and various linkages. Under heavy braking these might be loose enough to vibrate, but not under regular driving where the load on those parts isn't as great as heavy stopping.
Alignment could be part of it if the truck pulls to one side when braking... sometimes that can cause pulsating brakes.
More often than not, its caused by the caliper not sliding correctly on the pins (meaning they need to be greased), which in turn applies most of the braking power to one side of the rotor, warping it. Could be bad wheel bearings as well.
Sadly, sometimes this stuff is not always so obvious and takes a little investigation, since the steering and the front brakes work together as one system.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Srd: While normally I'd agree with you regarding alignment, I went through that a few months ago. The alignment was off a hair, and was determined to be the cause of my braking issues. I only know it wasn't anything else, because all they charged me for was the alignment, and the issue went away, which is why I suggested it as a possibility. There were no brake parts or labor relating to brake parts on my bill.
Now, of course that depends how we all define "jumpy", right?
Now, of course that depends how we all define "jumpy", right?
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 0
From: Annapolis,MD.
I did an alignment an old K-5 Blazer years ago and it developed a bad "shake" afterwards.Balance took care of that.I have been doing srictly alignment and suspension work for 18 yrs. and nothing "ceases to amaze" me. Yeah jumpy is vague,maybe can get a better description?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
From: Central NY
If your truck is like mine, there are 2 bolts that go thru metal sliders that have rubber boots on them on the back side of the caliper. These bolts should only have thread at the end. the sliders should be nice and smooth, no pitting or corrosion. The pad retainers hook on to the top and bottom edges of the caliper where the pads mount or make contact with it.
$10 (per side) for the bolts and sliders
$12 for the hardware kit (one will do both sides) that will have the pad retaining clips and the rubber boots for the sliders at autozone.
If the calipers can't slide or are too loo loose (ie no sliders at all) then I would expect a fair amount shake, so dont forget to lube the slides!
Synthetic brake grease $14.
Free advice...$priceless ... LOL
Hope this helps. I can grab a few pics tomorrow if needed.
Popa Tim
$10 (per side) for the bolts and sliders
$12 for the hardware kit (one will do both sides) that will have the pad retaining clips and the rubber boots for the sliders at autozone.
If the calipers can't slide or are too loo loose (ie no sliders at all) then I would expect a fair amount shake, so dont forget to lube the slides!
Synthetic brake grease $14.
Free advice...$priceless ... LOL
Hope this helps. I can grab a few pics tomorrow if needed.
Popa Tim
