Warped Rotors - E150
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Warped Rotors - E150
I've had to replace the rotors at least once over the years on my '92 E150 Van Conversion due to negligence on my part for allowing the brake pads to damage the original rotors.
I now seem to have a problem in that after about a year, the replacement rotors warp a little causing uneven braking. I believe this is probably due to over tightening of the wheel nuts when changing or rotating tires at the local store.
My question is that since I replaced the rotors with third party units purchased at the local store (Pep boys or Autozone) at great prices would I have been better off going to the Ford dealer and buying original rotors at 3 times the price and likely eliminate the warping problem due to higher quality (harder steel) components??
Any helpful insights would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance
Peter
I now seem to have a problem in that after about a year, the replacement rotors warp a little causing uneven braking. I believe this is probably due to over tightening of the wheel nuts when changing or rotating tires at the local store.
My question is that since I replaced the rotors with third party units purchased at the local store (Pep boys or Autozone) at great prices would I have been better off going to the Ford dealer and buying original rotors at 3 times the price and likely eliminate the warping problem due to higher quality (harder steel) components??
Any helpful insights would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance
Peter
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Lower 48
Warped Rotors - E150
I don't think the added expense would have made that much of a difference. I think you may have hit it on the head when you said you thought the cause was overtightening of the lugs. I've always used non-dealer parts so I don't think that's the cause.
Trail Rider
Trail Rider
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Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 390
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From: South East Alabama
Warped Rotors - E150
Most of those tire/brake places zap the lug bolts on with the impact and get them way too tight.
It is always good to tighten with a hand wrench. Besides preventing warped disk's and broken studs,you will always be able to get the wheel off in that rare late night tire change.
It is always good to tighten with a hand wrench. Besides preventing warped disk's and broken studs,you will always be able to get the wheel off in that rare late night tire change.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Warped Rotors - E150
I don't think it's the wheel being tightend down that's causing the rotors to warp. I think that the rotors themselves are just being made too light and can't handle the heat generated by braking. Ford (warranty) put 2 sets of rotors on my 91 Explorer before 50K miles. My wifes 94 Aerostar is on it's 4th set in 80K miles. Ford (warranty) put the first 2 on, I just did them again last week. The Ford rotors are not, in my opinion, any better than after market. I've been driving for 30 years and never had a problem with warping rotors until that Explorer. I'm pretty sure the fault is not my driving/braking style as one Ford Service Rep wanted me to believe (I let him know I didn't). I'm convinced that the modern pad materials generate so much heat that the light weight rotors can't properly dissapate it and they end up warping. Ford must really believe that too. Why else would they have warrantied 4 sets of rotors for me? I'm glad they stand behind their product.
1992 F150 Supercab SB 4x4 302 AOD 3.55
1992 F150 Supercab SB 4x4 302 AOD 3.55
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Warped Rotors - E150
I have to agree with the previous post ...as a weight saving measure brake rotors are not as thick as they used to be plus with the use of soft metals in brake pads vs asbestos,The heat generated by braking eventually warps most brake rotors on todays vehicles .I think the best way to ensure rotors last as long as possible is to use quality brake pads , torquing wheel nuts to manufacturer specs helps and also make sure the slide pins on the cailpers are properly lubed . There is really no solution to the problem as long as manufacturers continue to use lighter weight brake rotors .
Paul
Paul
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 289
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From: NJ
Warped Rotors - E150
I had a 93 E-150 that I towed a #5000 boat with. I thought the brakes where great.My trailer brakes went one time on my on a trip to lake Ontario and I didn't find out until I went to get off the highway. I got the brakes hot enough to crack the brake pad material right off the backing plate. Bottom line is I abuse my brakes and I have never had problems with warped rotors.I have to agree with the diving style theory my wife has warped the rotors on every car she has owned.
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Warped Rotors - E150
Hi,
I started this thread and should have pointed out that I did install semi-mettalic (lifetime?) pads which may be causing increased heat to the rotors. I also tow a #5000 trailer occasionally as well as a #2500 boat(not at the same time). It makes you wonder if the combination of the lighter materials used on the rotors on newer vehicles together with semi-mettalic pads and some heavy braking under load may be the root cause of my rotor warping problems!
Peter
>I had a 93 E-150 that
>I towed a #5000 boat
>with. I thought the brakes
>where great.My trailer brakes went
>one time on my on
>a trip to lake Ontario
>and I didn't find out
>until I went to get
>off the highway. I got
>the brakes hot enough to
>crack the brake pad material
>right off the backing plate.
>Bottom line is I abuse
>my brakes and I have
>never had problems with warped
>rotors.I have to agree with
>the diving style theory my
>wife has warped the rotors
>on every car she has
>owned.
I started this thread and should have pointed out that I did install semi-mettalic (lifetime?) pads which may be causing increased heat to the rotors. I also tow a #5000 trailer occasionally as well as a #2500 boat(not at the same time). It makes you wonder if the combination of the lighter materials used on the rotors on newer vehicles together with semi-mettalic pads and some heavy braking under load may be the root cause of my rotor warping problems!
Peter
>I had a 93 E-150 that
>I towed a #5000 boat
>with. I thought the brakes
>where great.My trailer brakes went
>one time on my on
>a trip to lake Ontario
>and I didn't find out
>until I went to get
>off the highway. I got
>the brakes hot enough to
>crack the brake pad material
>right off the backing plate.
>Bottom line is I abuse
>my brakes and I have
>never had problems with warped
>rotors.I have to agree with
>the diving style theory my
>wife has warped the rotors
>on every car she has
>owned.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 482
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From: Connecticut
Warped Rotors - E150
I have a 1989 F150 with 33" tires. The stock rotors would warp in 6 months as well as OEM replacements from auto parts stores. I changed them to slotted and drilled rotors manufactured by Raybestos. The product line is "Brutestop" Be sure to use the "brutestop" pads as well. Almost 2 years now and the brakes work as new. They can be special ordered at "Pep Boys" but are costly.
Mark
Mark
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