Brake pedal pulse

[magnetnerd]

Hey guys,

The brake pedal has recently started to pulse pretty badly when I'm coming to a normal stop from 45mph or faster. The pulsing is fairly violent, yet it doesn't move the steering wheel much if at all.

Because it doesn't move the wheel and because my drums are original at 180k, I figured it was them causing the problem.

I installed new drums and shoes today and it didn't fix the problem, but at least I won't have to likely do that again on this truck...ever, haha.

So, any takers as to what's causing this? Could be rotors. I had them turned about a year ago but they didn't have much life on them. It's just weird that my pedal is so violent yet by wheel doesn't really move.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

 

[magnetnerd]

Also, if I do end up replacing my pads and rotors, I think I'll go with Napa premium rotors and their semi-metallic pads. Any reasons not to use these?

Furthermore, is there any reason to pay double to get the ultra-premium rotors? They look like they're exactly the same except that the runout is guaranteed to be within spec. But, I'm pretty sure the premiums have a warranty and if they weren't within spec they could be exchanged.

I'd put new bearings and races on there too...anything else I'm forgetting?

 

[daniel3507]

Check rock auto for motorcraft rotors. Usually you can get them cheaper there.

 

[magnetnerd]

I do prefer to buy parts like these in store, so if the NAPA ones are equally as good I'd rather go with those.

 

[magnetnerd]

Hey guys,

The brake pedal has recently started to pulse pretty badly when I'm coming to a normal stop from 45mph or faster. The pulsing is fairly violent, yet it doesn't move the steering wheel much if at all.

Because it doesn't move the wheel and because my drums are original at 180k, I figured it was them causing the problem.

I installed new drums and shoes today and it didn't fix the problem, but at least I won't have to likely do that again on this truck...ever, haha.

So, any takers as to what's causing this? Could be rotors. I had them turned about a year ago but they didn't have much life on them. It's just weird that my pedal is so violent yet by wheel doesn't really move.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

Posting on this thread again for more ideas. My rotors are fine, so that's not the problem.

Any ideas? I'm thinking it's ABS but I'm not sure where to start the troubleshooting there.

 

[HAPPY+RANGER+GUY]

I'm thinking it's ABS but I'm not sure where to start the troubleshooting there.

Maybe just disable the ABS and see if brakes behave a little better? You can check the RABS sensor with a meter reading.
There should be a RABS diagnostic connector you can go in and check for any codes that may exist also.

Does your ABS light come on and go out like it should on the startup sequence?

 

[HAPPY+RANGER+GUY]

You don't think you have a wheel bearing acting up do you? You may want to get the wheels back up in the air and give everything a good check for worn or damaged components.

Some good conversation regarding ABS and pulsating brakes:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=319987

You should have rear abs only.

 

[magnetnerd]

I just pulled the ABS fuse, ABS light came on and stayed on and...it's no different.

This means we can rule out wheel sensors, and the ABS system, right?

I recently had new tires put on (this was a problem before that) and had them check shocks, ball joints, brakes...I'm honestly not sure if I asked them to check wheel bearings or not. They found nothing wrong, and I thought that perhaps they didn't actually check anything, but they do replace all those components if necessary so I don't think they'd lie about that.

I'm not real sure where to go from here.

 

[Surrey]

I just pulled the ABS fuse, ABS light came on and stayed on and...it's no different.

This means we can rule out wheel sensors, and the ABS system, right?

I recently had new tires put on (this was a problem before that) and had them check shocks, ball joints, brakes...I'm honestly not sure if I asked them to check wheel bearings or not. They found nothing wrong, and I thought that perhaps they didn't actually check anything, but they do replace all those components if necessary so I don't think they'd lie about that.

I'm not real sure where to go from here.

Did you replace your pads and rotors?

When I did the brakes on my Caravan, I only did the pads because they still had a bit of life left in them, but I clearly waited too long. The rotors must be in bad shape, because I too get a funny pulsing feeling, which started just before I changed the pads, and new pads didn't get rid of it.

I plan to replace the rotors when i do front brakes again (kinda pisses me off, I JUST replaced them 1 set of pads ago...) and I expect that'll solve my problem.

 

[adsm08]

Does only the pedal pulse, or does the steering vibrate too when you don't have a firm grip on it?

If you hold the parking brake release and push the parking pedal down while moving do you get the vibration?

Drums and rotors should always be machined when replacing the shoes and pads to avoid a vibration. I have also seen new drums and rotors out of round right out of the box and causing vibrations.

 

[magnetnerd]

Did you replace your pads and rotors?

When I did the brakes on my Caravan, I only did the pads because they still had a bit of life left in them, but I clearly waited too long. The rotors must be in bad shape, because I too get a funny pulsing feeling, which started just before I changed the pads, and new pads didn't get rid of it.

I plan to replace the rotors when i do front brakes again (kinda pisses me off, I JUST replaced them 1 set of pads ago...) and I expect that'll solve my problem.

I replaced the pads and turned the rotors about two years ago. They recently checked them at Kauffman Tire and said they were fine.

 

[magnetnerd]

Does only the pedal pulse, or does the steering vibrate too when you don't have a firm grip on it?

If you hold the parking brake release and push the parking pedal down while moving do you get the vibration?

Drums and rotors should always be machined when replacing the shoes and pads to avoid a vibration. I have also seen new drums and rotors out of round right out of the box and causing vibrations.

It's only the pedal. Double checked this on the way home a few minutes ago and the steering wheel doesn't move at all when I brake.

I did the parking brake test and only got a very slight vibration, but it was definitely there.

Last time I changed the pads, I had the discs turned. I did the rear brakes about 6 months ago and simply replaced everything, including shoes and drums.

 

[adsm08]

Sounds to me like one of the drums is out of round.

 

[magnetnerd]

Sounds to me like one of the drums is out of round.

That's possible, but this problem did start before I replaced my rear brakes. That would be some kind of luck, but I guess it could happen.

 

[magnetnerd]

If that is the case, is there something that might be causing this to happen?

When I put the new rear brakes on I did notice that the vibration was a little less, but it was by no means gone. It seems to have gotten worse since then.