stupid brake question
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10
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From: south-central Missouri
stupid brake question
I just changed the front brakes and rotors on my 04 Expedition because I got tired of the shaking when you hit the brakes. Much to my dismay, that didn't fix it. My stupid question is, can the rear brake rotors warp and not the fronts? I figured the fronts were the obvious culprit since they do the most work and therefore most prone to warping from heat. I have already ordered the rotors from summit racing so I guess I will know for sure in a week or so. Can anything else cause the typical "warped rotor" feel if I still have this problem after doing the rears?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 392
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From: Middletown NJ
I don't know if this actually would be a problem, but it seems logical to me. Is the fluid anywhere near fresh? If there is water or something in the brake fluid(probably the standard DOT 3 fluid), it seems like that could cause a problem, so try bleeding the braking system and putting in new fluid. If you have DOT 5 fluid, I do not know what the problem could be. Hope this helps.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 27
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Not sure if this helps or not. A lesson I learned a few years ago.....if you feel the shaking in the steering wheel while braking, the culprit is in the front somewhere (rotors, brakes, calipers, etc). If you feel the shaking in the seat of your pants, the problem is in the rear (brakes, rotors, calipers). At least in my case (2006 Buick Lucerne), the different feelings were very distinct. I replaced the rear brakes / rotors and the ride is now smooth as can be.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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It is possible to be the rears but it is usually the fronts. It could be possible you got a bad new rotor that was out of spec. The only way to truly tell is to put a dial indicator to it and check the run out. Any good brake shop should be able to do this.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Maryland
Don't know if you checked any of the slide pins and in my case on my 2002 Continental, its the FWD - it has other clips at the top of the caliper. Just so you know that there can be more clips and shims and other parts than you first realize, as due to road grime and a little rot, some blend in and you don't even know they are there. I finally gave up on the Conti, went and got new shims and clips and just plain old Advance Auto rotors and that seemed to solve vibration issues EBC never did, but was it really EBC? I replaced too many part to ever know.
Mike
Mike
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I would replace the rears as well, and check the front ones with a dial indicator to see if they are in spec. I would also try to flush out all the brake fluid if it is old. They sell some test strips for the brake fluid that tells how good it is and how much copper is in the brake fluid. Then bleed the brakes to make sure the system is free of air.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 10
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From: south-central Missouri
Thanks for all the input everyone. Based on what some of you have said, at this point I am assuming the rear rotors are warped. I don't get any real shaking in the steering wheel, it's more like the whole truck is pulsing and only when braking fairly hard like maybe when the rears are really starting to feel some extra pressure. I replaced all the shims and slides, etc when doing the fronts so everything there should be good. I am patiently waiting for my summit shipment to come in and I'll give an update when I am done with the beast.
