2001 Ford Taurus Braking AND Driving Vibrations

Tiny
JBAZAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD TAURUS
My brakes periodically cause vibrations when braking at all speeds and all applied pressures, usually resolved with a rotation of warped rotors. However, even with new rotors, the vibrations are starting earlier and earlier after rotations. Since 99% of my driving is high-speed, rural, open interstate driving at 60 mph or higher, I find this to be troublesome. It took only 5000 miles between replacement of rotors with original equipment and renewed braking vibrations.

And recently, my car has been vibrating, sometimes severely, sometimes gently, sometimes not at all, when I am driving at all speeds, even slowly, and not applying brakes. I find this to be even more troublesome. When doing very slow driving, say in a parking lot, I can feel the pull of the tires in my steering wheel. My dealer repeatedly says, "Everything is fine." I gotta get this fixed before Xmas driving. Any help? And thanks!
Saturday, December 16th, 2006 AT 10:17 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARUNDELL
  • MECHANIC
  • 602 POSTS
Hey jb,
Premature rotor warpage is a concern, especially wtih OEM parts installed. And this has occurred to a few of my customers. I've had very good luck with the high quality ceramic pads when confronted with this issue (though ceramics are not recommended if you tow with the vehicle) The only downside to these is that they tend to "wear" out the rotors quicker(not warp them, but the rotor thickness is reduced at a quicker rate than a metallic pad) Second, and I'm not saying you do this, highway speeds and fast "exit ramp braking" don't mix. It creates a ton of heat very fast thus warping out the rotor and faster pad wear! If this is your driving style I recommend a more "gradual slow down". Third, as to the vibration. It sounds like you may have a tire balance issue, or even a tire that may be failing internally (steel bands) I recommend you get this checked out asap. Let us know!

Chris
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Monday, April 5th, 2021 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,753 POSTS
Great response Chris! Good information on the ceramics.

I would go to an independant tire dealer and have the issue looked into on the tire problem Chris mentioned.
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Monday, April 5th, 2021 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
CARUNDELL
  • MECHANIC
  • 602 POSTS
Thanks Bruce! If you hadn't noticed yet I'm kind of a "testing nazi" (lol) I've put them on anything from Super Duty's to Corolla's and have AWESOME results! Some other huge benefits are:

1. Ya don't need to burnish them!

2. Brake squeak is a thing of the past! (I've had only 2 issues and I chalked those up to the mon/fri analogy. If it was made on a mon or fri. You know the rest!)

3. No need to "cross hatch" or prep the rotors, new or resurfaced!

4. The costs have come way down, so its finally getting cost effective!

I've heard of other issues, but its only been with the lower cost pads, so I recommend the top of the line ones!

Chris
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Monday, April 5th, 2021 AT 12:16 PM

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