Any Auto Mechanics out there?

JSaint

Took my car in to have my transmission fluid flushed because it reaaaaaally needed it. At that time my car (1999 Ford Escort) was also shaking and pulsing in the brake peddle like crazy! So I asked them to just give them a once over and see if they see notice anything. Get my car and they quote me for my rear brakes which are drums and I thank them. Off I go. Today a friend and I replaced the drum and shoes. Driving around his block and stopping theres a light pulsation not as bad before but it is still there. On my way home driving around 60-65 the pulsation is back with a vengence. Other than the possibility of my front rotors being back what else could it be? The tie rods have been fixed within the last year and same with one of the ball bearings in the front. They mentioned the front rotors are pitted but didnt really mention anything to fix on those. The shop also didn't take it out for a test drive it seems. Not sure how they determined it was only the rear and not the front. Well what do you guys think?

Amos_Umwhat

Is it an ABS system? Those are sometimes not so easy to do at home, special bleeding procedures or tools, etc. Also, ABS sensors that may need to be replaced. Another thought is your wheel bearings. Again, related to ABS, in that the sensors will pick up tiny variations that you may not notice. On our Ford Explorer, there were two signs of the front wheel bearings going down, a very slight howl, almost unnoticeable but palpable through the steering wheel when making minor corrections at highway speeds. Then, the ABS light started coming on. Changed the front right hub, presto it was gone! For a couple weeks. Realized, hmm, 180,000 miles, if one's going down, probably need to replace them all. Did that, everything's fine.

Oh, and no, I'm not a mechanic. I've just always been too broke to afford a real mechanic unless really major stuff is happening, and I did a lot of mechanic helper kind of stuff when I was young. Hopefully a couple of the real mechanics here will also chime in.

Lee.mcglynn

When were the rotors changed?

macs-smokes

I am no mechanic but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once... seriously though Ford had some problems with their rotors. When the OEM pads were worn it was best to replace the rotors or you were sure to have a similar problem when braking. I would also check the wheel bearings. If these are going out it can also cause tire damage. And my final thought on this could be a worn bushing... an alignment and replacing these may do the trick.

I am in the same boat as Amos too poor to pay for something it could fix. I also work with guys who were too cheap to pay a mechanic for anything.

JSaint

Lee.mcglynn:

When were the rotors changed?

About two years ago. New front pads and rotors.

JSaint

macs-smokes:

I am no mechanic but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once... seriously though Ford had some problems with their rotors. When the OEM pads were worn it was best to replace the rotors or you were sure to have a similar problem when braking. I would also check the wheel bearings. If these are going out it can also cause tire damage. And my final thought on this could be a worn bushing... an alignment and replacing these may do the trick.

I am in the same boat as Amos too poor to pay for something it could fix. I also work with guys who were too cheap to pay a mechanic for anything.

Ive heard with a bushing the steering wheel would shift from left to right. When I was going about 55 last night I let go of the steering wheel and broke. Car went straight and the steering wheel didnt shift that I saw. Hate old car problems lol!

JSaint

Amos Umwhat:

Is it an ABS system? Those are sometimes not so easy to do at home, special bleeding procedures or tools, etc. Also, ABS sensors that may need to be replaced. Another thought is your wheel bearings. Again, related to ABS, in that the sensors will pick up tiny variations that you may not notice. On our Ford Explorer, there were two signs of the front wheel bearings going down, a very slight howl, almost unnoticeable but palpable through the steering wheel when making minor corrections at highway speeds. Then, the ABS light started coming on. Changed the front right hub, presto it was gone! For a couple weeks. Realized, hmm, 180,000 miles, if one's going down, probably need to replace them all. Did that, everything's fine.

Oh, and no, I'm not a mechanic. I've just always been too broke to afford a real mechanic unless really major stuff is happening, and I did a lot of mechanic helper kind of stuff when I was young. Hopefully a couple of the real mechanics here will also chime in.

It has an ABS area on the dash but it has never lit up so I would assume it isnt.......or its broken lol.

bearb

While i am not a mechanic, i know a few...making me very qualified. Seriously, I spend a lot of time in the shop at school with my buddy the mechanic helping him and his students out when they are behind, so i am not a total idjut around a car. Here are a few ideas to check.

*Depends when the wheel shakes. If it is during braking then your rotors could be warped. If it is durinig normal driving then yes it could be bent rim, loose/worn suspension components. A balance problem is usually indicated by vibration in the vehicle not usually a shaky steering wheel. It may also be that the steering gear is badly worn which causes greater than normal spaces between the meshing parts.
*Warped brake rotors? The rotor hits the caliper every tire rotation causing a small bump in the steering wheel each time.
*A pulsing brake pedal might not indicate the brake rotors are warped. It could be ridges of rust instead. Rotors can be 'turned' ie lightly milled to make a clean surface again, but only if they are thick enough. Not a DIY job (to do the turning i mean) I doubt the 99 ford would be thick enough...most are throwaways.
*Your tires might need to be rotated and balanced.
*bad brake rotors can cause 2 main things. 1 is the steering wheel shaking when you are braking if so then you have warped rotors another thing when you brake does the car pull to the right or the left if so that will determine what rotor is bad and for but if it doesnt shake while braking that could mean your tires are cupped in the front or there not balanced properly.

hope a few of those ideas lead to some better data.
kids 'need' the computer...that's all i can do for now.

bearb

ANother quick question, read your reply later. Is the pulse ONLY through the pedal, the steering wheel? or the seat? Any combo of those? when driving or only when braking? All those will totally help to isolate which components it could be.

blutattoo

Sounds like the rotors are warped if you only get the vibration under braking. It could be as simple machining them, but like bearb said they may not be thick enough. You can get cheap replacement rotors on ebay for less than $100 easy. Might as well change the pads at the same time. You could get a kit with the pads included for about $130.

0patience

JSaint:

Took my car in to have my transmission fluid flushed because it reaaaaaally needed it. At that time my car (1999 Ford Escort) was also shaking and pulsing in the brake peddle like crazy! So I asked them to just give them a once over and see if they see notice anything. Get my car and they quote me for my rear brakes which are drums and I thank them. Off I go. Today a friend and I replaced the drum and shoes. Driving around his block and stopping theres a light pulsation not as bad before but it is still there. On my way home driving around 60-65 the pulsation is back with a vengence. Other than the possibility of my front rotors being back what else could it be? The tie rods have been fixed within the last year and same with one of the ball bearings in the front. They mentioned the front rotors are pitted but didnt really mention anything to fix on those. The shop also didn't take it out for a test drive it seems. Not sure how they determined it was only the rear and not the front. Well what do you guys think?

Reading this, the 60-65 pulsation could not be rotors. Unless you are applying the brakes at 60-65.
60-65 pulsation is a harmonic problem. Which would be tire or wheel balance.
Start with having the tires balanced and see if that cleans things up.

Shaking and pulsing in the peddle. Clarify if that is when you are stopping. If so, stopping hard or lightly or both?
If it happens when stopping hard, it is possible that, as was stated, the ABS may have a problem.
If it happens at all stops, the rotors are more than likely warped.
Why did they suspect the drums?? Drums rarely cause pulsation or vibration.

I've been in the automotive/transportation/equipment industry for over 30 years, so I may not know a lot about it.

firetruckguy

Friends don't let friends drive Ford's.............



Seriously, if the pulsation gets worse the hotter the brakes get then its the front rotors hot spotted or warped. Don't try to turn them, just replace them. If its a shake in the steering/seat at 60-65 MPH without stepping on the brake, have your tires checked for a slipped belt and/or misbalanced tire.

Let us know what you find bro.

JSaint

Just re-read what I wrote and when I typed 60-65 I meant I was braking. I wrote this at 4am after working on the car all day lol. I bought new hardware, rotors, and pads from Advance Auto for $72. They are running a coupon that is spend $100 save $40 its awesome!

Amos_Umwhat

Did you ever get this fixed? What worked?

JSaint

Ah sorry guys. Yea I did. There is still a kind of whurring when I first start the car and brake for the first time but that goes away every time so I am just leaving it alone.

dr_frankenstein56

Good Job guys!

Aj