Ford Brake issue

[Silvic]

I guess this thread is a good place for this.
I drove my wife's 1997 1/2 ton Ford today and immediately noticed the brakes were not right. The pedal was pulsing as if the anti-lock system was cycling and braking seemed to be greatly reduced. I also heard what I am pretty sure is the sound of worn-out pads on the rotor.
have not yet (due to pouring down rain) had the chance to take the wheels off to look but suspect the rotor is trashed and need new pads.

After a conversation with said wife she fessed up that she forgot to tell me.

My question is I have never had the anti-lock system pulse the pedal with worn out brake pads before.
Seemed odd so thought I would throw it out as I know there are folks on here that are truly good mechanics and have probably seen this before.

 

[Soundguy]

You might have felt feedback from warped rotors!

 

[beeforty]

Ditto that. I have felt the same when they have been overheated and warped and can also happen supposedly when improperly torqued when changing a tire.

 

[Silvic]

If the vehicle was run with worn out pads for some period with the rotor being ground/damaged etc due to brake pad being basically gone, would that warp the rotor?
I always thought of rotor warp as being from brakes overheating not from wearing out and grinding.
Of course the grinding might have caused a lot of heat build up if it has been going on for a while.
Me and the wife need to talk if they have been grinding for a while.

 

[HHR]

The '97 has rear drums right? If so, your problem is most likely in the front. Is your truck 2wd or 4x4? If 2wd, you have serviceable front wheel bearings that will need to be addressed during the rotor/hub replacement.
Also check front brake lines. Our '97 needed new lines about 2 years ago due to cracks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had to replace a sensor on a friends Frontier for the same issue.

Chris

 

[timswi]

I had to replace a sensor on a friends Frontier for the same issue.

Chris

Fords don't have issues like this, only GM's. Just kidding.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Fords don't have issues like this, only GM's. Just kidding.

That's true..... Lol

My guess is it's a wheel speed sensor. That's what it was on that Nissan. I found it with a multi meter. I measured the Ohms across all 4. The one I replaced was significantly different.

Chris

 

[Soundguy]

If the vehicle was run with worn out pads for some period with the rotor being ground/damaged etc due to brake pad being basically gone, would that warp the rotor?
I always thought of rotor warp as being from brakes overheating not from wearing out and grinding.
Of course the grinding might have caused a lot of heat build up if it has been going on for a while.
Me and the wife need to talk if they have been grinding for a while.

If you run with bad pads, you can damage the rotor's and yes, it will feel like a pulse in the pedal.

could it be other things? sure.. but the damaged rotors aren't helping.

 

[Soundguy]

If the vehicle was run with worn out pads for some period with the rotor being ground/damaged etc due to brake pad being basically gone, would that warp the rotor?
I always thought of rotor warp as being from brakes overheating not from wearing out and grinding.
Of course the grinding might have caused a lot of heat build up if it has been going on for a while.
Me and the wife need to talk if they have been grinding for a while.

If you run with bad pads, you can damage the rotor's and yes, it will feel like a pulse in the pedal.

could it be other things? sure.. but the damaged rotors aren't helping.

 

[Silvic]

I fixed the brakes on Tuesday when I got back. The one pad was shot and was into the rotor pretty bad.
Put new pads and rotors on the front and test drove to see if anything else and nothing. The pulsing in the brake pedal must have been from the pad/rotor interference grinding. Never seen a pad that far gone or a rotor that ground into. Perfectly symmetrical and no warp but well into the rotor. Wife apologized for not telling me earlier. Oh well!

 

[gwstang]

Do you think the one pad that was shot could have been from driving around with the Parking brake on? Won't be the first time a female did that. If my wife even gets near to my truck to take it for something...The first words out of my mouth as we walk to the truck and she is ready to leave..."release the parking brake first...dear".