pulsating brakes?? - Diesel Forum

Almostnormal · 06-10-2009, 04:43 PM

Hey Guys,
I did my brakes 6 months ago on my 2002 f250 7.3 4X4 (turned rotors within specs) and replaced with ceramic pads. Everything had been good till recently when I step on the brakes and it feels like the rotor is warped or the anti lock deal is off on one wheel. I lifted up the truck and spun the wheels, no rubbing applied the brakes gently still no hit and miss,just smooth till stop. The truck has 117000. miles and may have original shocks that don't seem to be leaking. I tow a 5000 lb boat. Is there something common like ft wheel bearings going that could cause pulsating in the front end when the brakes are applied? any ideas beside new shocks that I am ordering or redoing the brakes? Thanks Mike

BTBBT · 06-10-2009, 05:33 PM

The problem is more than likely the fact that you turned your rotors. The rotors on these trucks just do not take kindly to being turned. Also, watch how you torque down your lug nuts as I've heard this can have an effect on rotors also.

FMTRVT · 06-10-2009, 07:11 PM

It's not so much that they don't take kindly to being turned as much as 1) If they have hard spots those will not be machined out and the problem returns in a short time, or 2) if the rotors are machined off the truck they end up with excessive runout and develop thickness variation in short order as well.

Rotors need to be turned on the hubs with a Pro-Cut lathe, and even with that, closely monitored if there are hard spots. If they have hard spots, then they need to be replaced. It will not matter what friction material is on the vehicle.

Almostnormal · 06-10-2009, 09:48 PM

FMTRVT,
I did remove them to turn them. I think I will buy new tomorrow, do I need to turn them (on the truck)after I install them? Mike

FMTRVT · 06-10-2009, 10:51 PM

As long as your buying one of the higher priced versions they should be good. If you have any access to a dial indicator and it's holder, indexing the rotor for the lowest runout would be the ideal.