2002 F-150 Brake Shudder

[85_Ranger4x4]

Had this thing 10 years and one month, I have tolerated cruddy brakes namely because they don't figure out. GF wants them fixed though and it has been a constant thorn in my side. It stops great, it is just annoying.

It loves to shudder when braking at highway speed. Over the years I have had the original rotors turned, put two new sets of rotors on the front, turned the rears, new pads on the rear once. Dunno how many sets of pads on the front. I use the middle grade ones, not the cheapies and not the ceramic, even tried a OEM set from Ford. All caliper slide pins move freely.

I think it is with the front, it shakes the steering wheel and dash. ABS light does not come on, changed one front wheel bearing (with wheel sensor) with no change. I don't hear the "er, er er" ABS sound and it doesn't feel like it at all either.

While they used to make a difference for a short while, the last time a year ago I put new pads and rotors on it shuddered on the first stop.

As far as my driving style goes my Ranger got its first set of brakes since before my F-150 was built three years ago when a brake line went bad and locked a front brake on. It has always been as smooth as glass...

 

[custom '90 ranger]

I know I am resurrecting a 3 month old thread, however my 03 150 4x4 does the same thing.

I have tried the same that you have with no results, is this something that these trucks are plagued with? I have not done a lot of research on this topic, but surely someone has come up with a solution to the problem. I will start my research and let you know what I come up with.

-Lucas

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My brother has worked at a Ford dealer for 9 years and has never had another so I kinda doubt it.

I haven't really totally turned him loose on it either, he is blaming rotors which fits the description. But I don't know how they warp so fast.

 

[adsm08]

Cheap rotors. I'd get them turned on the on-car lathe, see if that helps any. It makes the rotor true to the vehicle, not some arbitrary imaginary plane related to the arbor of a bench lathe.