2003 F-250 diesel 4wd brakes.....arrrg......

My F-250 has 60K miles and is in need of its fifth (as in 5) turning of the
front rotors. No one I know with this or a similar Ford has had anything
like this problem. The front brakes start chattering within a heart beat;
its 's not something gets worse over time. It has happened when going
downhill pulling my 5th wheel, and has happen with just my ATV in the bed
(appx 600 lbs). Mr. Goodwrench at the local Ford dealer sez there is
nothing wrong other than I am improperly breaking. BS in my opinion. As a
bit of background, when the truck was new (less than 10K miles) I had the
ABS system light come on on two occassions, both times while just driving
down the freeway and not using the brakes (or had not used them for a long
period of time). Each time Ford said they could find nothing wrong, and
reset the the on board error recorder to 0.

My non-technician solution was to get some high performance rotors and pads.
The high performance shop is more than willing to sell me some, but it is
their opinion that there is something going on with the ABS system or
proportioning valve. Maybe the early on ABS light is a clue?

Anyway, since my local Ford dealer seems to know nothing beyond turning down
the rotors again, and again, and again; it doesn't seem likely they are
smart enough to diagnose a possible ASB problem. Is there a way I can
eliminate or confirm there is a problem with the ABS syetm?



BTW - I've been driving trucks and very long time. I do not leave a foot on
the brake pedal, let the rig over speed, ride the brakes, etc.

Tom Minger wrote:
> My F-250 has 60K miles and is in need of its fifth (as in 5) turning of the
> front rotors. No one I know with this or a similar Ford has had anything
> like this problem. The front brakes start chattering within a heart beat;
> its 's not something gets worse over time. It has happened when going
> downhill pulling my 5th wheel, and has happen with just my ATV in the bed
> (appx 600 lbs). Mr. Goodwrench at the local Ford dealer sez there is
> nothing wrong other than I am improperly breaking. BS in my opinion. As a
> bit of background, when the truck was new (less than 10K miles) I had the
> ABS system light come on on two occassions, both times while just driving
> down the freeway and not using the brakes (or had not used them for a long
> period of time). Each time Ford said they could find nothing wrong, and
> reset the the on board error recorder to 0.
>
> My non-technician solution was to get some high performance rotors and pads.
> The high performance shop is more than willing to sell me some, but it is
> their opinion that there is something going on with the ABS system or
> proportioning valve. Maybe the early on ABS light is a clue?
>
> Anyway, since my local Ford dealer seems to know nothing beyond turning down
> the rotors again, and again, and again; it doesn't seem likely they are
> smart enough to diagnose a possible ASB problem. Is there a way I can
> eliminate or confirm there is a problem with the ABS syetm?
>
>
>
> BTW - I've been driving trucks and very long time. I do not leave a foot on
> the brake pedal, let the rig over speed, ride the brakes, etc.
>
>


Ig you get an ABS warning light you got's a problem. Even a flaky light
is a (minor) problem. But 5 sets of brakes in 60k is a bunch no doubt.
You need to pick a different Ford dealer to completely diagnose the ABS
circuits and tbe entire hydraulic system. Explain your troubles to them.
If no joy call the nearest Ford Zone office and explain what trouble you
are having and that no Ford mechanic has been able to diagnose it, and
you want one that can, even if you have to pay for it yourself. (But
you'd be most happy if they'd extend some warranty coverage too!)
Resetting the error recorder and shrugging ones shoulders is the wrong
repsonse IMO. An error occured so there is a problem. Might be the load
sensor if there is one, for that does affect brake proportioning as well
as the prop valve. And then the ABS system modulates the whole thing of
course. I bet the chattering is the ABS system cycling thinking you are
near lockup, why I wouldn't know but a competent mech should be able to
ferret it out.

Just an idea, disabling the ABS will give you old fashioned standard
braking, so pull the fuse just for a lark and see what happens.