Has anyone heard of or experienced ongoing malfunctions of the front brakes in 2000 or 2001 model year? We have those years as work vans and both drivers report(and I've witnessed in both) intermittent lockups and irregular pulsing of the front brakes. One van only got 4k miles on a set of front brake pads. The local Ford agency denies all knowledge.

 

I couldn't stand to see your post go un-noticed. The brakes on the E150's are horrible. i've lost count on how many rotors i have replaced. The brakes are too small for these rigs. ford should have used the larger brakes used on the E250 and E350. I finally figured out a few things that have helped. ONLY use AMERICAN made Rotors and Pads. I was using foreign rotors that were getting chewed up in a few thousand miles. My last set of pads installed were Ceramics from Les Schwab. this has been the best brake job to date. I love my van, but between the cr@p brakes and the front end vibration that won't go away, i don't know if my next vehicle will be a ford. (if i get another van, it'll be a chevy, SUV will be an Excursion)

 

Sometimes, the ABS systems have to be bled with a special bleeding machine. Maybe check with a brake shop, or shop manual and see if your vehicle is included. My Haynes manual has a small section in regards to my '94 E-150.

By the way, my '94 just turned 80,000 miles. It has had the pads replaced one time, and still the original rotors. I have many miles left on the present pads, and no vibration whatsoever.

 

According to Les Schwab, they do bleed the brakes. So far, I've been real lucky. I chose Les Schwab for their price and warranty: 25K miles. At about 20K, i went in because the brakes were feeling "funny". i got a new set of pads and calipers at no cost to me. My warranty does not reset and they are now out of warranty. i'm hoping to get another 10 to 15 K and then i'll go back to them.

I envy you with your vibration-free van. my last resort is having the driveline balanced but that means i would have to pry the van away from my wife. With her daycare and our foster home, she practically lives in it. LOL

 

Ditto" on the front brakes. Down to metal at 26,000. Put on $25. cheapies. Time will tell. Next time I'll try the good stuff. At least they're easy to do it yourself. Put on Albany pads...never heard of them. They work good, but too much dust on wheels.