I have a 2004 F-150 Lariet 4x4 with 93K miles. Never had a problem and have done nothing other than routine maintaince. I have no mods. Just got in my truck to come home from the office, and when I went to hit the brakes, the truck shuttered VIOLENTLY! I thought the truck was going to fall apart!! The rotors and pads are new within the last two months and have had no problems since the change. I have felt warped rotors before and this does not feel like rotors. Also, when I put the truck into reverse, and hit the brakes, I got absolutely no shutter. It only happens when I am going forward. I also noticed that when I went from park to drive, it felt like the brakes were locked up until I gave it enough gas, and then I would hear a loud POP before the truck would start to move. Any ideas before I take it to the shop?

 

Sounds like you may have a bad caliper piston. If, when the brakes were done, the mechanic pushed the piston back in (with a vice clamp or similar) at an angle and scarred the piston against the housing wall it may only exhibit problems in the forward direction.

Does it pull to one side or do you feel it on one side or the other?

A sticky piston could be the cause of the pop you felt before the truck started moving. Just a guess but that's where I'd start.

 

The problem feels like it is in the rear. The rear brakes were done actually about a year ago. If the caliper piston was pushed in incorrectly would it take this long to begin showing problems?

The truck does not pull to either side when the brakes are depressed. It feels more like a hop.

How can I check for a sticky piston?

Thanks again!

 

That's weird! Mine is doing the same thing! 05 Screw 4x2. When I back up out of a parking spot etc, stop, and start to go forward, I have to roll about 15 feet or so before it comes un-stuck, or whatever its doing. Mine has 93,209 on it, and has been doing it for about 9 months. I know my rear rotors are warped. Ive never done rear brakes on it, but when I bought it in 12/07 with 32k on it, it had a new pad slap, and a new LR rotor. I did not understand that... I am about to do the big 100k tune up/svc, so Ill have to wait on doing new rear brakes. I just did new NAPA rotors and pads last month. I got the MIA rotors, and the $55 pads, and I have had NO dusting up in almost 2000 miles!!

 

kdda,

Wow how have you dealt with it? My is flat out unsafe to drive!

 

If it feels like it's coming from the rear then you probably wouldn't experience pulling to one side or the other, even if only one side was the culprit.

It would seem odd that you would begin experiencing symptoms this far out from a (possibly incorrect) brake job. But then again as the pads wear the piston must extend further, possibly getting to a worn or damaged spot so it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

Looking through the factory service manual; the only suggestions for vibrating or shaking during braking are basically "inspect for uneven wear, loose caliper guides, pad guides, etc". That probably doesn't help much but if you haven't already I'd check and make sure everything looks OK back there before taking it to a dealer.

I couldn't tell you how to check for a bad or worn caliper piston. If it's taken this long to exhibit problems it's probably not something you can just look at and tell or even test really. But I'm not a tech either, could be a simple procedure.

I assume there are no ABS or CE lights on the dash.

Keep us posted!

 

4x4 in wheels that happened to me

 

Same problem here; started about 1 month ago on my 04 w/105K miles. If going downhill and touch the brakes, get shimmy/hop feeling from rear end that continues for maybe a half-second after touching the brake...makes me wonder about suspension.