Brake Pedal Vibration

[BigFellor]

My 02 has recently developed a nasty vibration / pulsation when the brakes are applied. Thinking it might have been the rotors I replaced the front pads and rotors (due anyway) and it didn't help anything. While I had the front end in the air I checked the tires with hands on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and there was no play in them. Both front hubs have been replaced within the last few months also.

The vibration is only upon braking and is definitely coming from the front end. I can feel it up there and hear something clunking around but I can't find anything broken / loose. Upon braking the vehicle doesn't pull to one side or the other. Any suggestions on what to check out next?

I guess the good news of the day is when I replaced the lower oil pan gasket there were no big chunks of plastic in there. Guess I need to figure out what's rattling around now as I had been thinking it was the timing chains.

 

[Number4]

No chunks doesn't mean no timing issue. Engine rattling is pretty much always timing issues.

Does the braking sensation feel like the abs is engaging?

 

[BigFellor]

I don't know; what's the ABS supposed to feel like?

 

[Number4]

It's a rapid pulsing you'll feel through the pedal that makes the car almost feel like it's slipping.

Go drive on a gravel road and slam on your brakes. You'll activate the abs.

 

[BigFellor]

Well, yea that's what it feels like then. Anything but extremely light pressure on the pedal gives you that pulsation along with something banging.

 

[BigFellor]

Took the ABS fuse out and no change.

 

[Onuma]

Well, yea that's what it feels like then. Anything but extremely light pressure on the pedal gives you that pulsation along with something banging.

Is the "banging" just one thump, or multiple banging sounds? One dull *thud* on a moderate-to-heavy brake engagement could be ball joints giving way, which usually means they need to be replaced. I don't think that would account for the ABS-like pulsation you're experiencing, but I can't be sure.

 

[BigFellor]

Multiple, and it goes along with the pulsating.

 

[BigFellor]

Bump....

 

[05XLimited]

Did you check the braking system for air bubbles or low fluid? It could be that there is a pressure fluctuation which would give that pulsing sensation.

 

[robbiwan]

I had the same problem with my explorer. Check your upper control arm. Check your brakes and disc rotor - had these replaced. This solved my problem.

 

[superhick440ci]

If you have a pulsation your front brake may still have a problem of the caliper pins are seized or tight, also the adapter bracket if the pads stick in the adapter bracket it can really alter pedal feel. Its also good to check the rear rotors for excessive corrosion on the inner rotor surface.

 

[Number4]

....there are more crappy branded rotors out there than premium. Rotors are metal, if you get a good deal on rotors, there is only ONE reason......less metal and usually in that case, lower quality metal.

You can buy a hundred cheap rotors and not get on that is true.

Now, cheap or not cheap, they do make rotor shims to correct run out. You'd need a shop to test for this as the wheel needs to rotate.

Part numbers BA90906 and BA90903. If your rotors or hubs are low quality, then you'll get pulse every time the high side hits the caliper.

 

[mbrando1994]

BigFellor,

Pull front tires and check your rotors for thickness/smoothness, and overall appearance. Do they feel smooth? If not you may need new front brakes. Bad/warped rotors are the cause of a pulsating shaking feeling in the whole vehicle when coming to a medium-hard stop. Depending on the severity of the issue you might be able to feel it whenever you brake. If that proves to not be the problem I would check brake fluid levels/ABS system. When ABS engages it feels sort of like a grinding/pulsing sensation in the pedal and produces an audible grinding noise.

 

[BigFellor]

Hey all, apologies for a late reply.

Good news is i believe I've found the problem in that there is pretty uneven wear on the rear pads. Unfortunately I pried, beat, and tugged on the rear LH rotor for about 4 hours and it's no closer to coming off. And the parking break was completely disconnected but i just couldn't get the thing off.

 

[Number4]

Hey all, apologies for a late reply.

Good news is i believe I've found the problem in that there is pretty uneven wear on the rear pads. Unfortunately I pried, beat, and tugged on the rear LH rotor for about 4 hours and it's no closer to coming off. And the parking break was completely disconnected but i just couldn't get the thing off.

As pointed out by someone in a different thread, there are 'washers,' retainer like washers that slip over the studs and are pressed up to the hub. Don't think every stud has them.

You may be able to back them off with the threads or you can just cut them off. I don't recall what I did.

 

[BigFellor]

As pointed out by someone in a different thread, there are 'washers,' retainer like washers that slip over the studs and are pressed up to the hub. Don't think every stud has them.

You may be able to back them off with the threads or you can just cut them off. I don't recall what I did.

I saw that somewhere and found a YouTube video that talked about those also. No washers on any of the studs on mine.

My checkbook will get these things changed in no time later this week.