I'VE JUST BOUGHT MY FIRST EXPLORER !!!

[JDraper]

I read your post. They warp. Have you ever cut a warped set down?? I have, and it's visible when you put it on a lathe and put a dial indicator up against it.

I don't know what your metallurgical or engineering background is, but I've been dealing with metallurgy and material properties for the last 12 years. If the article you read says that "rotors never warp" it's plain wrong. If you have a link to the article, post it so I can read it. I'd be interested in seeing what it says.

 

[Majisto]

Warped rotor myth?

 

[Stephen]

I also have to say that rotors do indeed warp. They always have, and they always will until we find better ways to cool them or different materials to make them out of.

Sounds to me like the guy who wrote the article you posted (I did just read it quickly) was looking towards one side of the problem, basically saying that what we call "warped rotors" is caused by pad material being unevenly distributed on the disc surface causing a thickness differential "warpage" and that if its been on there a while, the way to fix it is to grind the rotor. My question is, what has he actually said? Here we (and tens of thousands of mechanics, brake system specialists, racing teams, and automotive corporations) believe that excessive heat buildup causes the thickness of our brake rotors to change, causing vibration and usually requiring grinding or other sort of repair or replacement of the discs. He's saying the exact same thing, just putting a different spin on it.

I've been involved in the auto industry for a long, long time, and I've never before heard anyone say rotors don't warp...

 

[marcus.avis]

Brake discs(rotors?) warping

Surely the braking discs(rotors) must be vented? Having said that this is the third Ford I've owned (Escort, Sierra previously) that the braking discs were quite fragile and tended to warp. Is it maybe a Ford problem rather than a explorer problem?

 

[Majisto]

Re: Brake discs(rotors?) warping

Originally posted by marcus.avis
Surely the braking discs(rotors) must be vented? Having said that this is the third Ford I've owned (Escort, Sierra previously) that the braking discs were quite fragile and tended to warp. Is it maybe a Ford problem rather than a explorer problem?

Well sure, Ford like any other car modern car company only goes after the bottom line, and as such uses cheap rotors. If you think Ford rotors are bad (Which they are, don't think I'm trying to stick up for the cheap rotors), go drive a Grand Prix around for a while

 

[Jon Burns]

Marcus,

Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of Explorers. Did you not get an owners manual with the car? If not you can still get them thru Ford they're about £4.00 If you can't get one let me know, I think I've got a spare one somewhere. Don't worry about disks wearing on Fords they're just another sign of age a bit like hair falling out and eyesight failing. When your car gets to 200,000 miles it'll need the automotive equivalent of a zimmer frame anyway. I've got a green '97 too and I've put 25,000 milkes on it since July last year - they're no better or worse in the wear stakes than just about anything else. Look on the bright side you could have bought a comparable Landrover product and then you would really have wear problems. Oh and the was down to me and Rick.


Howard,

Cruise control works from 25 MPH up (or should at least on '97's). Not sure about '98,s tho.

Regards

 

[Howard]

Jon

You may be right about the cruise but I wouldn't want to use it below 40. Snail crawling is not what I'm about.

Edit:
I've just read my book and it says that the "Automatic speed control" works when going faster than 30mph approx

 

[Rydin Dirtay]

Originally posted by Howard

The cruise control is fairly standard just press the on and then the set button at the desired speed. It will only work at speeds over 50mph.

i can set mine at 15 mph

 

[Stephen]

I use cruise control fairly frequently on one stretch of road that has a 35 MPH speed limit that is notorious for speed traps. Keeps me safe

 

[Char]

Welcome Aboard, Marcus!

And at the same time may I offer my condolences. When you been here for a month or two you'll understand!

 

[MICHAEL PARKER]

Welcome Marcus,I did send a reply earlier but hit the wrong button & started a new thread all of my own.
If its not a rude question what did you pay for your new love.
Weve all had our technical / mechanical problems on this site and so far every one of my questions has being answered which helps when ford uk havent a clue on these suv , but ....big supprise ,so far i have found that the Dagenham plant... the uk ford parts head office has 90% of explorer parts in stock and delivered next day anywhere uk mainland

 

[Jon Burns]

Michael Parker,

Hi,

I agree with you on parts availability and the speed with which they get them out it is very good.

But.....

It should be when you consider the money they want for the damn things. At the prices they charge you could hire Prince Phillip to bring the bloody things to you in person.





Cheers




Jon

 

[mick 1836]

Talking of UK Explorer spares, visited my local Ford dealer yesterday to buy a new balast, its an electrical device inside the top of the rear door that operates the high level brake light,it has red white 'High Voltage' sticker on it.

The dealer ordered it yesterday from the main UK Ford depot it arrived today, bad news it cost £69.34p

 

[Howard]

Talking of spares I found these people http://www.usauto.co.uk/ and they seem much cheaper.