rotor warping
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 20
With all 4 wheel rotors warping I would say you have a lug nut torque issue. If you do the following, it may cure your problem.
My '04 X Ford shop manual recommends 165 lbs-ft of lug nut torque. However, it does not say how to apply the torque. Like the manual says clean the lug nuts (I use carb cleaner) and apply one drop of oil between the lug nut and washer (I use ARP moly lube between the lug nut and washer). Then, using the recommended 8 lug nut torque sequence, I torque all of the nuts to 50 lbs-ft, then 100 lbs-Ft and then the final 165 lbs-ft. I torque the lug nuts like I torque head bolts when I rebuild an engine. Example, if you are required to torque head bolts to, lets say, 250 lbs-ft you would not apply the full amount of torque to each bolt on the first pass. That will certainly warp the head. Same thing with lug nuts. I never apply full torque to anything on the first pass. I always apply the full torque value in increments.
Also, be sure to check that no crud has built up between the rotor and the hub. If there is rust or crud, get a die grinder with a small wire brush and remove the crud.
Now having said all of that I too have experienced warped front rotors but that was due to crappy Ford OEM rotors when I had to brake for idiots. I have installed Powerslot Cryo front rotors and have not had any rotor warp issues in 20,000 miles.
DSMMH
My '04 X Ford shop manual recommends 165 lbs-ft of lug nut torque. However, it does not say how to apply the torque. Like the manual says clean the lug nuts (I use carb cleaner) and apply one drop of oil between the lug nut and washer (I use ARP moly lube between the lug nut and washer). Then, using the recommended 8 lug nut torque sequence, I torque all of the nuts to 50 lbs-ft, then 100 lbs-Ft and then the final 165 lbs-ft. I torque the lug nuts like I torque head bolts when I rebuild an engine. Example, if you are required to torque head bolts to, lets say, 250 lbs-ft you would not apply the full amount of torque to each bolt on the first pass. That will certainly warp the head. Same thing with lug nuts. I never apply full torque to anything on the first pass. I always apply the full torque value in increments.
Also, be sure to check that no crud has built up between the rotor and the hub. If there is rust or crud, get a die grinder with a small wire brush and remove the crud.
Now having said all of that I too have experienced warped front rotors but that was due to crappy Ford OEM rotors when I had to brake for idiots. I have installed Powerslot Cryo front rotors and have not had any rotor warp issues in 20,000 miles.
DSMMH
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 980
Likes: 1
From: Stuart, FL
The brakes on the Ex are definatly an issue. Don't get me wrong, they will stop you! YOu really have to baby the brakes on this vehicle. I had mine cut once at about 10K. I now have 16k and no issues. I know that sooner or later I wil have to replace them with aftermarket units. I have heard god things about the CRYO rotors.
That's what I'll get when the time comes.
That's what I'll get when the time comes.
