My 2003 f150 xlt (2wd) was taken in for front brakes today. My wife took it, while I was at work.

The pads were thin, and the front end was doing a slight shimmy/shake when you press the brakes hard (like when coming off the highway). Typical behavior that I am used to when the brake pads get thin, at least for me. Right, same for you guys also?

Ok, she goes to pick it up around 5pm this evening. She drives 1 mile away, and has to stop and park it at a grocery store. The front end was SHAKING really bad, even making the steering wheel vibrate. Loud noises too. Lots worse she said when she pressed the brake pedal.

I come in from work to pick her up, since she can't go anywhere.

I examine it, see nothing (I am not much of a mechanic).
I start it, back up, and can feel the brakes rubbing, while not even pressing the brakes. Gets worse when I press the brakes. NOT AT ALL like when you get new brakes and the pads SLIGHTLY rub because they are new.

So I drive it back to the shop, I can hear it rubbing the entire time. I NEVER PRESSED the brakes (got lucky with traffic), to help not cause any more damage. I PARKED IT, LEFT IT THERE FOR THE NIGHT so they can see it in the morning (shop was empty, done gone home).

So, what do I need to tell them? I feel totally like they are responsible. They should of never sent a woman on her way, without fully testing everything. They told her they would re-check things in the morning. Man, how rude I thought to treat a lady that was, plus causing potential extra damage.

I found this link.

Could this be the issue

HELP NEEDED FAST please. Work, doctors appointments tomorrow, school kids, man a mess tomorrow!!! And hopefully get this fixed in the morning first thing.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...7-f-150-a.html

HELP please!

 

your mechanic screwed up. either left the bolts loose, or got the caliper in a bind with rusty pins, etc. if they fess up and fix it, no problem.-- if they blame you, i would throw a fit. you might need discs if it got real hot and warped them.... i would make sure they take responsibility and fix it.

 

If the brakes were just pulsating like before I would say they had not "turned" the rotors. Which can be a service that you may have to pay extra for. Depending on the sale. Then, the worst case scenerio, would be the pulsating like when you arrived there. But all of the extra noise and dragging? No. They were installed incorrectly. It sounds as though they, also, did not take it for a check ride when they were done.

Don't let them BS you. Be firm. But NEVER rude. Explain that it is worse now than when it was brought in. Take them for a test drive and show them the issues. Share your concerns for the family's safety. Tell them you brought the car to them because of their great reputaion. That you never expected problems like this from them. Really give them a reputation to have to live up to.

You may have to take some time here. Let them get unlocked, opened, and set up. Talk to the manager. Get the nmber for his/her boss. Call him/her in. One time I had to get the phone number of the boss' boss and told them to make an appointment with that upper management because I was flying in to see him/her. That I would be there the next day to discuss the issues and concerns.

They took the time to calm me down and meet my concerns.

If it is a chain franchise I suspect that they will rectify it. I have found most chains will stand by their work. You may have to pay for it and write a letter of explaination expressing your concerns for safety and such and ask for a refund. But, I believe if it is a major chain, they will make you happy and safe. If you go up the line far enough.

If they do not stand behind their work you may have to go to the state automotive board and report them. But that can be a lot of work and headache.

If it goes this direction require the old parts be given to you. Stand outside of the garage and require that they give them to you when they are removed. Rotors, calipers, pads, everything that is being replaced.

 

Thankfully, they fixed it. I don't know what they done, other than turn the rotors. I am sure they had a little something else wrong. They didn't charge anything extra to turn to rotors. So that was good.

WHEW! What a relief!