I have a 2003 F-150 4x4. Only 20,000 miles on it because it was in storage
for a year and I either walk to work or take a bus.

Periodically, I feel a pulsation or vibration in my brake pedal every time I
stop, particularly when stopping from high speeds. But the brakes seem to
work fine. Some internet research indicates a warped rotor or an
out-of-round drum. My last two oil changes and 'brake inspections' have
indicated that both front and rear brakes are fine, but of course they never
took the truck out for a test drive so obviously the sensation I am feeling
cannot be detected visually.

Gee, I hate to get break work done at only 20,000 miles but does anybody
detect anything really wrong here? Am I playing with my life? It has been
doing this for several months now. Would the storage of year and not using
the breaks have and adverse effects on them?

"Douglas" <doogie414 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

It's possible the grease on the caliper slides has dried up. That can also
cause the symptoms you're describing. Get some white lithium and re-lube
them and see if that helps. Also, check you're rotors for any rust or a
rusty-looking spot about the size of a brake pad. You don't say where you
live, but high humidity (like here along the coast) can cause bad things to
a vehicle that sits up.

SC Tom

I only ever take my truck to a Ford dealer. Thats why I figured if two
different dealers gave my jerky breaks a clean bill of health then there
can't be anything seriously wrong.

But me thinks if I ask them to take a closer look next time I'm quite sure
they will find something.

"David M" <NOSPAM (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

"SC Tom" <sc tom (AT) my (DOT) place> wrote

proper sequence.

"RJ" <NotReal (AT) here (DOT) com> wrote

I also vote for the rust on the rotors. I'm assuming you don't drive the
truck much. If it is rust, you should vigorously ignore it. Somebody in
this group might tell you spend some time and money trying to stop them from
rusting, but you should resist them.

"Douglas" <doogie414 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

If you feel it in the pedal and / or steering wheel, it's probably front
rotor warpage. Take it to a reputable shop, not the dealer, and have them
checked and then machined. Left unchecked the vibration when braking will
cause other front end problems, like ruining the wheel hub assemblies, and
front end components.

Don't "ignore it vigorously", like another reply suggested. It will not go
away. If you do, it'll cost you more in the long run.

Spdloader

On Tue, 8 May 2007 08:02:32 -0700, "Douglas" <doogie414 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>
wrote:


Your likely have warped rotors. When they get hot they warp more and
as they warp more they get more hot spots which make it warp more
still and causes brakes to chatter like you are seeing. It is the
worst when brakes are hot. SInce you farm out work anyway I suggest
you take it too a good brake shop and get front rotors replaced no
turned because if they are warped when you turn them to flatten them
you will have differences in thickness in rotor which will lead to
future warpage. This is not a rare problem. A non dealer brake shop
would likely be cheaper than dealer and may do a better job because
brakes are their bread and butter while it is not a dealers main roll.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

Yeah, i got a 95 f`150, and it was sitting for a good 2 months during
that time it didnt leave my driveway. Now that its on the road again,
i felt the same thing, my rotors and drums are fine. The problem seems
to be getting better slowly. It could be your brake lines. Try
bleeding them, That should definately work if your rotors and drums
are fine. Try using brake cleaner on the drums and rotors, just to
clean them off, it could help.