Brake rotors

[gjkrone]

We have a 2016 Explorer Limited that had new dealer installed pads and rotors 7000 miles ago. After 3000 miles had shaking at high speed so went back and dealer replaced all rotors as everything else was working properly. Well just went back after another 3000 miles because of high speed shaking and again rotors replaced all at no cost but an inconvenience as we have to work. Ford has a bad batch of factory rotors out there?? Anyone else having rotor issues ??
Greg. Akron OH

 

[javaleo]

I haven't used Ford Rotors in many years. High Speed shaking, so High speed braking. You most likely have the smaller rotors (13 inch) and at High speeds there will be possible warping. You could try slotted and /or drilled rotors.

 

[Odrapnew]

Nope.
In fact, my original front rotors made it to about 120k miles before I changed them. Smooth up to the day they were replaced.
I'm currently running Raybestos rotors and Wagner pads (~7k miles on them) and nice and smooth.

 

[J_C]

You most likely have the smaller rotors (13 inch) and at High speeds there will be possible warping. You could try slotted and /or drilled rotors.

?? That's not something I've read about happening much on pre-'14 5th gens. Pre-'14, because Ford started putting the larger rotors on all after that point, so a '16 Limited would have the larger rotors. Maybe not the fleet/base version, IDK about that one, nor have I ever noticed anyone in this forum with one.

 

[J_C]

We have a 2016 Explorer Limited that had new dealer installed pads and rotors 7000 miles ago. After 3000 miles had shaking at high speed so went back and dealer replaced all rotors as everything else was working properly. Well just went back after another 3000 miles because of high speed shaking and again rotors replaced all at no cost but an inconvenience as we have to work. Ford has a bad batch of factory rotors out there?? Anyone else having rotor issues ??
Greg. Akron OH

My '14 is still on the factory rotors and they seem to be wearing well though I've only got... hmm... about 20K mi or 30K mi, can't remember which but either way, nowhere near expecting to need new pads soon either.

Do you mean shaking while applying brakes at high speed, or shaking without even applying brakes?

Is there significant corrosion? Where is "University Park", exactly?

Was there irregular wear patterns on the rotors, or a pulsating brake pedal sensation, or did the rotors look like they had pad material embedded in them, or an overheated, rainbow or bluish tinted look? Where they cracked or warped or any other irregularities to account for this? Imbalanced castings?

Did the shop state exactly what was wrong with the rotors or just "bad" and wouldn't go into detail? I am wondering how they made that diagnosis as rotors aren't typically the first thing to suspect, unless they know they've been having issues with them. It's also quite strange that they replaced all 4, considering it should've been one that started becoming a problem, or both on same *axle* at most, and the front and rear rotors aren't the same part #.

 

[javaleo]

The Ford Service Manual for a 2018 Explorer has procedures to replace both the 13 inch and 14 inch front brakes. The pads are also different.

 

[gjkrone]

I haven't used Ford Rotors in many years. High Speed shaking, so High speed braking. You most likely have the smaller rotors (13 inch) and at High speeds there will be possible warping. You could try slotted and /or drilled rotors.

 

[J_C]

The Ford Service Manual for a 2018 Explorer has procedures to replace both the 13 inch and 14 inch front brakes. The pads are also different.

That doesn't in any way suggest that anyone with a '14 or newer that isn't the base model, would have the smaller rotors.

Plus, it is not believable that Ford QC would overlook the 13" rotors not being able to brake at highway speeds without warping, also considering that the larger rotors were only included pre-'14 as part of the towing package (or PIU?), so they were not merely needed for braking at highway speed but to allow doing so, towing ~5500lbs, though each state has another limit where over, roughly 2K or 3K, trailer brakes are needed, but still there is that margin of braking for an extra 2K to 3K lbs.

It is not realistic to think that the smaller rotors would warp during normal highway use, rather would have to be some extreme situation like braking down a long mountain road with a load, or involved in a police pursuit type braking scenario. If that is what gjkrone is doing, it seems like that would be worth mentioning.

It can be cleared up pretty easily, just measure the rotors. Actual size is 325mm SD rotors and 352mm HD rotors, which is slightly under 13" SD and 14", HD.

 

[gjkrone]

That doesn't in any way suggest that anyone with a '14 or newer that isn't the base model, would have the smaller rotors.

Plus, it is not believable that Ford QC would overlook the 13" rotors not being able to brake at highway speeds without warping, also considering that the larger rotors were only included pre-'14 as part of the towing package (or PIU?), so they were not merely needed for braking at highway speed but to allow doing so, towing ~5500lbs, though each state has another limit where over, roughly 2K or 3K, trailer brakes are needed, but still there is that margin of braking for an extra 2K to 3K lbs.

It is not realistic to think that the smaller rotors would warp during normal highway use, rather would have to be some extreme situation like braking down a long mountain road with a load, or involved in a police pursuit type braking scenario. If that is what gjkrone is doing, it seems like that would be worth mentioning.

It can be cleared up pretty easily, just measure the rotors. Actual size is 325mm SD rotors and 352mm HD rotors, which is slightly under 13" SD and 14", HD.

Thanks for the info. We do tow a boat but our Explorer has the factory tow package and we are well within the 5000 pounds. This Explorer has Been treated like a baby spending most of the time sitting in our garage. Just strange that our ford dealership can not find rotors that last more than 3000 miles. Even they can’t figure it out, just keep replacing but it becomes an inconvenience to stop in for brakes every 3000 miles.

 

[fosterzcj]

My 17 escape at 56k and my 22 explorer base at 22k have original brakes and still good.

 

[RogueTuner]

I just measured my rears, as the passenger side is dragging and worn really bad on the inward side. I noticed after towing our new trailer 300+ miles! I got 13 inches or 330mm rears or I am miss measuring bigger? There are options available for 330 mm and I am going to have to go with that. 2014 base 3.5l AWD government used but not police

 

[javaleo]

I think the rears are only one size for all. Only the fronts have two different sizes

 

[Odrapnew]

Yes, rear diameter is one size, but I believe there are 2 types, vented and non vented.

@gjkrone - You could see about getting aftermarket rotors. I currently have Raybestos E3 rotors on all 4 corners. Only about 7k miles on them, but they are still smooth.

 

[gjkrone]

Yes, rear diameter is one size, but I believe there are 2 types, vented and non vented.

@gjkrone - You could see about getting aftermarket rotors. I currently have Raybestos E3 rotors on all 4 corners. Only about 7k miles on them, but they are still smooth.

 

[gjkrone]

Thank you everyone for your input. Even with problems , grew up with Fords and I am still very loyal to the blue oval.

 

[AdamWest436]

I replaced my towing fronts with the Sport/Interceptor open center style from Centric to get rid of my high speed shimmy on braking. My rears I didn't covert to vented yet but there was a kit for solid to vented rears. The stock rears were doa short of 30K on the oem tires in the snow. I also replaced them with Centric blanks.