Notices
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator 1997 - 2002 and 2003 - 2006 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Discussion

shaking while braking

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 10, 2009 | 09:58 PM
  #1  
mtondreo's Avatar
mtondreo
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Pinellas Park, FL
shaking while braking

I am pretty sure it needs new front rotors, but just want confirmation from you guys. Real bad shake thru the steering wheel when I brake. Started doing it a lot more after a long trip we just went on. The pads look fine and the truck only has 35k on it, but rotors are cheap enough if this will fix it. I am not the original owner so I am not sure if they have been turned. Also can I just use the NAPA rotors ($55/ea). I know after I had my rotors turned on my F150 - it shook real bad. But traded it on this. Thanks for advice/other possible solutions, Mike. ps - I have to pull the fornt end to replace leaking seals, so rotors will get done while its apart.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2009 | 12:50 AM
  #2  
khangmai's Avatar
khangmai
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Have the rotors' thicknesses measured then turned if they're still within spec. If they're too thin, then new rotors would be needed. I had better luck with non-oem rotors. In either case, new brake pads would be required.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2009 | 01:36 AM
  #3  
algranger's Avatar
algranger
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Yeah warped rotors.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2009 | 10:49 AM
  #4  
pushr0d's Avatar
pushr0d
New User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I'd guess you can have the rotors turned, although it's gotten to where new ones are almost as cheap.

My trusted independent shop will not use anything other than OEM pads. He has not had very good luck with aftermarket.

Same goes for the spark plugs...
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 11:48 PM
  #5  
dirtmonkey11's Avatar
dirtmonkey11
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Most likely the rotors are warped from overheating, but could also be bad tires. The truck is new so my gues would be the rotors are wapred.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:24 AM
  #6  
99ExpyProblems's Avatar
99ExpyProblems
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 0
Started doing it a lot more after a long trip we just went on.

This is a key indication of a rotor failure, because the rotors got progressively worse. But could also be wheel bearings. Especially since you say you have a leaking seal. Replace and repack the wheel bearings at the same time!
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:49 AM
  #7  
Big Greenie's Avatar
Big Greenie
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
Personally, I do not turn rotors. Rotors are nothing more than a heat sink. The mass of the rotor absorbs and dissipates heat. Removing material compromises this feature. In addition, most shops brake lathes are questionable at best, as are many of the operators. You can easily end up wasting time and money on turning rotors. New ones are cheap, brakes are nothing to mess with.
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2009 | 09:05 PM
  #8  
mtondreo's Avatar
mtondreo
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Pinellas Park, FL
Update - thx for the replies. I changed the front rotors and pads today. Shaking is gone. I ended up going to napa and getting ceramics ($95) and rotors were $55/ea. I was going to get their more expensive rotors, but he talked me out of it. only 35k in miles and I still had to use a small sledge hammer and PBblaster to pop them off. Also I put the pads on and put the clip on the outside like it was and it sounded like when you used to put a card in your wheel on your bike. So I pulled the wheels back off and did not see a purpose for those clips, so I pulled them off. One of you guys please chime in if they are necessary and I will have a real "wrench" look at it. Thanks, Mike
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 18, 2009 | 09:56 PM
  #9  
khangmai's Avatar
khangmai
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
The spring clips would help to separate the pads from the rotor after brake is released. Otherwise the pads would stick to the rotor, heat the rotor then warp the rotor.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2009 | 07:05 AM
  #10  
Big Greenie's Avatar
Big Greenie
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by khangmai
The spring clips would help to separate the pads from the rotor after brake is released. Otherwise the pads would stick to the rotor, heat the rotor then warp the rotor.

Close....Pads will not stick to the rotor. The clips are known as anti rattle clips. As the pads wear there will be more and more air gap and without the clips you will hear the pads rattle in the calipers.

It is not something that will cause the rotors to warp.
 
Reply
Old Oct 19, 2009 | 07:55 PM
  #11  
mtondreo's Avatar
mtondreo
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Pinellas Park, FL
thanks guys - I'll keep the extra parts in my tool box for now because i can not get them to fit back on without hitting the wheel (the rotors did not look wider, but the pads definitely are). my mechanic did say i was not supposed to push the piston back in with a c-clamp with the reservoir lid off. he said that can ruin the abs brake booster. But so far, so good. Just glad the wobble is gone. Now i can wait to get my 1-wheel drive expedition changed back in to a 3-wheel drive when he gets freed up. could have used the front axle a couple times in North Carolina where we went. Thanks, Mike. (still not understanding why a 4wd vehicle does not at least have a lsd in the rear - oh well)
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2009 | 08:57 AM
  #12  
soundtransmission's Avatar
soundtransmission
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
mtondreo - mind me asking how much you are paying to have your mechanic do it? My 06 EB is probably due for some new rotors as well as it has been progressively shaking when the brakes are applied at high speeds (>60 MPH).
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2009 | 11:15 AM
  #13  
Big Greenie's Avatar
Big Greenie
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
You will not damage anything by pushing the piston back into the caliper using a clamp. I would like to know your mechanic managed to fit new pads if he didn't push the caliper piston back in?

If you do not have the lsd in back, and you get the "4wd" working again, you will only be up to 2wd, one in front and one in back. Better yet, it is the one in front and the one in back with the least traction that will get the torque :-(
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2009 | 06:14 PM
  #14  
operator414's Avatar
operator414
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood Indiana
do not turn rotors on these trucks, even if they are new! lol, spend the money on a good set of rotors, and with your mileage they shouldnt be such a bear to remove but for the future do yourself a favor and smear some anti-seize around any surface the rotor touches the wheel hub, this will help out the next time as well, fellow expy onwers will know what I mean, I had to use a 3 jaw 4 ton puller to remove mine.
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2009 | 10:02 PM
  #15  
mtondreo's Avatar
mtondreo
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Pinellas Park, FL
soundtransmission - My mechanic has been slammed so I did it myself. I am waiting on him to replace seals in my front axle. I did not get a price on him doing the rotors because I was going to have him do it when it was apart. I just could not stand the wobble anymore. So apologies not sure what it would have cost. Thanks, Mike.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:44 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE