Vibration when braking

boydrj · 02-19-2012, 04:12 PM

I have to admit, this site is pretty damn cool. Anyhow, I have a 2006 F150 4.6L V8. It does have a two inch front end leveling kit. I just replaced my front pads and rotors. When I am traveling on the interstate or upwards of 45 MPH and put on my brakes I will feel a vibration in the front end and in my steering wheel. What could it be? My rotors can't be warped...unless its my rear rotors???? But would I feel vibration from the rear rotors.

Also, my 4x4 light has not been coming on when flipping the switch. It will come on once in a blue moon. Could all of this be related due to my IWE solenoid??

Kruser · 02-19-2012, 04:56 PM

Because the cost is so low..actually nothing if you do it yourself...rotate the tires to eliminate a weird tire problem like a shifted belt. If the problem doesn't go away, (and I suspect it won't) my guess is that you have a warped rotor. You said that the rotors aren't warped. Just because they are new, (and probably Chinese) it doesn't mean that you don't have a warped rotor. There can be new rotors that are poor right out of the box. Good rotors can also warp from improper lug nut torque or torquing sequence. Also check to see that there is no rust or scale between the wheel and the rotor. Make sure the area of the wheels that mates with the rotors are clean so that the wheel itself cannot warp your rotor. Also, did you properly break in your new pads and rotors?

Pecos Slick · 02-19-2012, 06:22 PM

I never put on new rotors without having them turned. The sales guys look at me like I'm crazy and tell me that they will have to charge me for turning them. I always reply If they are out of round you eat the cost, if not I'll be glad to pay you. I have yet to be charged. this started about 30 years ago when rotors were made in the USA. I can only imagine how bad they must be now being made in China. People just don't store rotors right to keep them from warping.

jwko · 02-19-2012, 06:55 PM

A few years back I ended up buying some china crap rotors for a 01 Taurus. Installed them fresh out of the box and they vibrated worse than the ones I took off. It took 3 passes on the lathe to true them.

China & Wal~Mart, that's whats wrong with this Country.

Skyhawk · 02-20-2012, 07:10 AM

Vibration on braking can also be caused by worn tie rod ends, ball joints, and/or bearings.

johnregnier · 02-20-2012, 01:58 PM

Got in the truck the other day and noticed the daylight running lamps didn't work, checked all fuses, everything alright there, what now, Oh parking brake fully released.

Pecos Slick · 02-20-2012, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by johnregnier

Got in the truck the other day and noticed the daylight running lamps didn't work, checked all fuses, everything alright there, what now, Oh parking brake fully released.

You need to start your own thread, you will get a lot more help.

skyshepherd · 03-01-2012, 08:36 AM

One of the other posters alluded to it, and that is bedding in, which is basically the controlled transfer of a uniform layer of brake pad friction material onto the rotor surface. Failure to do so may lead to an uneven buildup of friction material, particularly if a hard stop is made with the pad held against the hot rotor surface for a period of time. This can result in a patch of material on the rotor which will have all the earmarks of a warped rotor. If this is your problem, the solution is to remove the uneven buildup and re-bed the brakes.

Hope this helps!

Darrin

MichaelJennnings · 03-01-2012, 10:59 PM

In all my years working for Ford and multiple others, I have heard this complaint too many times to count. I have experienced it on my own cars & truck. The rotors have too much run out. This can be verified with a dial micrometer set on the brake caliper housing (fixed point) and set the mic to zero with it just touching the rotor. Turn the wheel slowly. As little as .010 run out is enough to cause a high speed braking vibration.

Also true, some aftermarket manufacturers did not properly harden rotors causing premature warping. Especially if you do a lot of stop and go driving.

Take the rotors off, return them to where you purchased, have them turn them on a brake lathe. You will be surprised at this. When replacing rotors, never NEVER install them directly out of the box. Always have them trued and cleaned. There is rust inhibitors on the metal that can affect braking and cause bearing failure. Plus machining leaves behind metal shavings that may be unseen by the naked eye. Get these in your bearings, and you will eat a bearing to pieces.

phantom · 03-02-2012, 03:51 PM

I alway try and pay attention if you feel it in the steering wheel or in the brake pedal.

diyfordguy · 03-23-2012, 02:39 AM

If the old rotors were warped and you let it go for long enough, The vibrations from that will put a serious hurting on the suspension bushings and can cause a vibration when braking feeling after a brake swap!