Replacing Rotors

[JBeck]

I have a 2004 XLT and my truck recently started to "pulse" when coming to a stop. I assume that one or both of the front rotors are warped/bad. Am I right? If so how difficult is it to replace the rotors. Any special tools required. I read the recent thread on brands of rotors and the local advance auto sells wearever, bendix, and raybestos similarly priced. One any better than the other?
Thanks

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ford trucks are somewhat notorious for egging out the rear drums, leading to pusling brakes.

i would take the truck into a shop and have them turn the drums and rotors. it'll be cheaper this way and since you dont know if its the drums or the rotors this would eliminate the problem on the cheap.

 

[MAKG]

Actually, it isn't all that much cheaper to turn drums and rotors (and flywheels) than to replace them with remans. And resurfacing is only effective for SOME causes of pulsation, generally if they occur at all speeds.

A pulsation that only occurs on hard stops or high speed is probably not a warped rotor or drum (though a $15 dial indicator will establish that), but rather due to insufficient thermal mass -- there just isn't enough cast iron in the rotor/drum. Resurfacing THAT would make it worse.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i guess it depends on wether or not this truck has had brake work before (rotors and drums turned/replaced). if they are the original brake components and have never been turned, replacing them isnt going to provide any more "thermal mass" since they will be replaced with the same (OEM) or less (chinacrap) design rotors and drums.

 

[Yellowsplash]

You can get new rotors for 30-40 bucks at advance. I would just do it right and replace them...

As far as quality...more than likely the only brand the local advance will have is the wearever. The bendix arnt being stocked as much as they used to. They will probably have to order them if you choose to go with them. The difference is the wearever are etched in one direction. The bendix and cross-hatched in both directions. Bendix are an OE ford brake supplier, and more than likely is what came on your truck. I use Brembo rotors on my cars. Either way, they both are warranted.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

machining rotors and drums isnt the "wrong way" its just "another way".

 

[Yellowsplash]

I wasn’t referring to it being the "wrong" way....I guess just a saying I typically use for "going all out" on something to ensure longevity.