I'm not sure about the F series rotors, but the Taurus rotors are made in Mexico and are very cheap. If the car sits on the lot long enough, it develops a brake pulsation. It builds up rust and as soon as you drive it, you get the pulse. POS rotors if ya ask me.

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Ford hvy dty rubber floor mats, Kenwood 10-disk cd changer, Ford bugshield, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar with 2 KC 100w Daylighters, Ventshades, Ford bedliner, cab and bed professionally undercoated, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, Ford alarm, Realistic CB with Wilson Little Wil antenna and Astatic power mic, ported MAF sensor, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)

 

Sycho,
We have semi finshed rotors for F-450's that went to Mexico for finish grinding as well as Chrysler mini-vans and others. So I figure the Taurus's weren't actually made in Mexico, NAFTA at work here so I could be wrong, Those dam Mexicans underbid us and got the work when it could have stayed here and kept us busy instead of getting laid off. Makes me a little ticked off!!!!!!!!! How about you guys?


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99 F-150 XLT Sport, Black 4x4 4.6L , 3.55 LS,Manual Tranny, K&N air filter, No Muff Exaust system,.999 tuned TPS,Pioneer CD Player,Pioneer GM-X332 Amp,8" Rockford Fosgate Punches, Custom(self done)pinstriping,Wrap around bugdeflecter

 

I have an 97 f150 4x4 with 52000 mi. The truck had a vibration for sometime when braking but didn't start til the speed was down to about 35mph. I replaced the rotors(Carquest) and the pads(Raybestos) about 1000 miles ago and it helped but now it's starting to do it again. Is there a heavy duty rotor and caliper out there, maybe racing type, that won't warp? I'm tired of these cheap thin rotors. The ride is uncomfortable and dangerous.

 

I did a front rotor check on my F150. I got it used so, who knows what happend to it before I got it. I messuered .003 out of the passenger side, didnt check the driver side. What I did do though was jacked the truck off the ground. loosend the lugs on both front wheels, then tightend to spec. feel better but, need to be turned now.

QUESTION: Are any of you letting the dealer rotate the wheels or have had something done to the wheels and had some shop monkey use a impact driver to put the wheels back on. ?
You can use the impact to remove em but, you have to put back on by hand with a tourq wrench.

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97 F150 4X4, ORP, Tow Package,
CD-Changer, K&N, B&M shift improver,
PIAA fog lights, Weld Rims 17", 265 70LT AT/S.
f1504x4.hompeage.com

 

Everyone says rotors are warping because of over torqueing the lug nuts. If I'm not mistaken they've been using rotors since the 1970's and I don't ever recall having any problems with rotors from older cars. Now a days it doesn't matter what brand car, they're all warping. I've also heard rotors warp because they don't put asbestos in the pads anymore but, I think that's bullsh** too. I've changed to newer pads on old cars and those rotors still don't warp. Anyone else have older cars go through rotors as fast as new cars?

 

OK , a lot about 'torque the lugs'...how much/what's the reading? Also , with today's more 'modern' rotors <cheeeper> what about using the softer organic brake pads? Sure they wear out faster , but the rotors won't!

 

Let's see .001 vs 980 millionths.

Hmmm

.001 vs .00098

Hmmm hmmm?

1000 millionths vs 980 millionths

ok

0.001000
-.000980
--------
0.000020 (twenty millionths, two onehundred thousandths, .2 tenthousandths, 20 micro-inches)

only 2/100,000 = 1/50,000 inch difference?

"...we never let anything get over a half a thou. either way...". That's 0.0005 (500 millionths)!

Sounds like the Ford rotor and the GMC rotor are made to identical tolerances to me.

Thanks for making such a great product for us all, Sugarman. When we need it, do you recommend turning or grinding?

PS: My '97 shook like a helicopter - 'hope the 4-wheel discs don't drive me nuts.

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Y2K XLT EC 5.4L 7700# SB 4x4 w/LS 3.73 (repeat buyer)

 

Well I had the rotors turned on my truck two weeks ago, they feel great. I had the break pads replaced also, I hope this will last. The tech told me that the rotors will not take another turning. So, if I had to get new, what is the best out there, Ford dealer wants $120 each for new. is there any better.

Don


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Don W
97 F150 4X4, ORP, Tow Package,
CD-Changer, K&N, B&M shift improver,
PIAA fog lights, Weld Rims 17", 265 70LT AT/S.
f1504x4.hompeage.com

 

I have always been told that rotors warp to to heating up, and then cooling rapidly, like driving through water. or cooling unevenly, like after a long hard stop parking the truckso that the part of the rotor between the pads cools slower than the rest of the rotor. So my question is has any body tried crossdrilling their rotors so they dissipate heat better while you're braking. Would it be safe?(this question is kind of directed to you Sugarman being a machinist and all)

P.S. if you think $125 is a lot for a rotor, be glad you dopn't have to pay like $260 or so a peice like on our F350. Its a mazing what a few 110to50 brakings will do as far as heat cracks

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BigBunnell

98 F150 4X4 XLT flareside V6 5sp K&N Flowmaster and some other goodies

 

ATTENTION I had my 97 F150 in for pulsing woth the front rotors at 45K. They couln't get them off the truck they had to wack them off with a sledge hammer. They really only needed a turning. But the darn things were rusted to crap. I had to spend approx. 400+ to have the rotors and pads replaced at the dealer. Then the truck pulled to the left when braking after the the pads warmed up. They ended up replacing the "Motorcraft" pads with "Ford" pads there is a difference! YOU MUST REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO FORD!!!!! Look in your phone book for the 800 number to Dearborn tell them the problems you have been having. If enough of us complain they will have to generate a RECALL!!!! Please do this.

 

I have 97 f150 with only 25,000 miles, I bought it from the dealer at 20,000 miles. Last week I took off my front wheels to rotate the tires and noticed that my rotors had very deep grooves in them. I was shocked because I never suspected that the brakes would be bad at such low mileage. The pads didn't appear to be too far worn, although i did not take them off. I was going to change the pads and have the rotors turned down (assuming the grooves are not to deep) this week untill I started mentioning this to other people and they said that this is highly unusual for the rotors to be that much worn at 25,000 miles. Is this a posible warranty issue or would I be wasting my time at the dealer by them telling me that this is just normal wear. Comments?

 

My f150 had the warped rotor problem. While trying to install the new rotors, the station had to use a small sledge to get them off. I put on new Power Slot rotors. So far I am very happy with the rotors. They were only ~$80. They are slotted rotors.

 

Has anyone else had a problem with their 97 F150's Rotors being BADLY grooved at only 25,000 miles? I want to know if I will have a case of warranty when I go to the dealer about this. I am shocked that I have to redue the the front brakes at 25,000 miles. From what I have learned from other truck owners is that I should get about 40,000 miles on the front and about 60,000 miles on the back. IS THIS A WARRANTY ISSUE. Please respond. Thanks

[This message has been edited by jburd (edited 03-14-2000).]

 

Hi

Hey 38-chevy were did you get your power slot rotors for $80 ea?

thanks

[This message has been edited by coolfords (edited 03-16-2000).]

 

I just got back from the dealer about the front brakes. They said that it should be no problem to have them replaced under warranty as long as the rotors are the problem. If the pads were the only thing wrong then they wouldn't cover it. When my truck goes in for other warranty work (relocating of exhaust, new slider window)(as soon as the parts come in) they will look at the brakes and the intermediate steering column at the gear box (it has been making clunking noise). Now all i have to get fixed is the DOOR CRACK.