Richard Smith
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• Knoxville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 10/4/2003 |
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• 104 posts |
• 1
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 Posted:10/23/2003 05:34 |
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David I have a new 2003 X XLT V-10 3.73 and think the brakes on this truck are weak. I find the stopping power marginal at best. I tow a 9200 # 33 foot travel Trailer sometimes too.
What I have done: Changed pads to Z Rated PFC. PFC told me they found no braking improvement with "frozen rotors". I have gotten significant improvement in braking. To support this I recently drove my daughters X V-10 3.73 and wondered "where have the brakes gone?"
What I have found is that the pedal can be pushed down another 2 inches after the brakes start to come on. On two occasions that has caused my foot to push down on the accelerator too - isn't that a fun situation. I did a test - clamped off the flex lines at each front wheel and at the rear axle closest to the end that is closest to the master cylinder. Pedal travel under the same conditions was reduced to 0.5 inches with a hard pedal. Did the test again but clamped at the flex hose end futherest from the master cylinder and got 2 inches again. Result most of the spongeness is from the flex lines expanding. I am planning to change all flex lines to braided stainless steel - such as Russell.
Some interesting info - the gas X's use a vacuum pb booster and the PSD's use power steering pump hydraulic pressure for boost.
My next action is to solicit Ford Motor Company to upgrade all Vacuum boosters to hydraulic as on the PSD's. Note the PSD's have about the same towing capacity as a V-10 gas.
That's the way I see the situation. LETS TALK!  ps: I have my trailer brakes working well and with my adjustable controller set to max. My braking problems are associated with the X not towing anything. [quote] |
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David Monach
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• Orange County, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 6/30/2002 |
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• 38 posts |
• 2
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Posted:10/23/2003 09:12 |
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cwbyinjeep,
Thanks for your feedback. I thougt that the fact that I did have a middle of the road trailer brake controler might just have been a contribuitn factor, so, feeling as you do about towing I went a got the high end Prodigy brake controller and it has helped tremedously when trailer brakeing. But I still come back to the fact that the X is 8000lbs ans possible Ford could have put a bit more effort into the brakeing system. I am starting to think the lug specs could be a major cuplerate here...not to mention your pressed bearing front end ideas. I thank everyone for the great, genunie feedback.....
This is why I love this place......
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Richard Smith
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• Knoxville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 10/4/2003 |
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• 104 posts |
• 1
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Posted:10/25/2003 20:30 |
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David I did hear back from with a saturday morning phone call. They are willing to listen. Why don't you email Ford to at www.ford.com and put in your 2 cents. If we band together we can get some results.
Have a great ride,
Richard - I love my white X the best!!!
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ROBERTH
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• Raleigh, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 3/23/2003 |
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• 62 posts |
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Posted:10/27/2003 19:59 |
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FYI....I got an update to the wheel torque for my 2002 Excursion. They are now suggesting wheel torque setting to 150 - 165 lb-ft. I torque mine to 165 and the stock rotors have improved. Every now and then I get a slight vibration when braking, but they seem to correct themselves on occasion. I do tow occasionally, approx. 4000#'s and have no trailer brakes. I don't notice any difference with or without towing this load. It stops rather well I think with the boat.
I will most likely go to the frozen rotors when it is time to replace my originals since turning them thinner is not a good idea. 
By the way, on page 196 in the owners manual (online copy downloaded from Myford) defines the new wheel torque. |
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Wheels
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• Visalia, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/20/2003 |
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• 214 posts |
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Posted:11/3/2003 09:48 |
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My ART kit just arrived on Friday, hopefully I will be installing them this weekend!!!!!!!   |
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David Monach
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• Orange County, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 6/30/2002 |
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• 38 posts |
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Posted:11/3/2003 23:22 |
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Wheels keep us posted!!!!!!  |
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Richard Smith
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• Knoxville, TN, USA |
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• Registered on 10/4/2003 |
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• 104 posts |
• 1
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Posted:11/4/2003 19:45 |
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David, I went to the Ford Dealer. They inspected the entire brake system and they noticed the different Pads. (PFC). They said they would no longer warranty my brake system and recommended I put the stock pads back on. (I 'm thinking - "no way".) Richard[quote] |
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Weatherlite
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• Mountain Home AFB, ID, USA |
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• Registered on 10/21/2002 |
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• 133 posts |
• 1
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Posted:11/5/2003 12:28 |
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Don't think they can do that....Magnuson Moss act? Is that right? Someone here will pipe up about it sooner or later. It's a law that says a manufacturer can't void warranties simply because an aftermarket part is on a vehicle. I guess they have to prove that the aftermarket part was responsible for the failure before they can deny a warranty claim. Something like this.
Guys?? Any help on this one?
Mikie |
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David Monach
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• Orange County, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 6/30/2002 |
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• 38 posts |
• 2
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Posted:1/29/2004 09:20 |
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My ARTs arrived yesterday...They are going on this morning....I'll keep everyone adivse |
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85MH325
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• Eastern, IA, USA |
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• Registered on 3/20/2004 |
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• 54 posts |
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Posted:4/1/2004 19:39 |
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My X has succumbed also to the dreaded rotor warp. I put up with it until it got so bad that the rotor warp kicked the ABS in. What a ride! I decided I didn't want to try to pull my 8500lb trailer with the brakes acting so wacko.
I did some research on rotors and decided to try a set of SP Performance slotted disks with Hawk pads. I got them put on last week and it drives really well... this week. We'll see how long they last in the real world.
I have to say that the folks who I bought them from have an excellent primer on brakes and brake performance. It's worth reading. Here's the link to the rotors I got:
http://www.raceshopper.com/sp_rotors.shtml
They shipped them fast, and the prices were reasonable, I thought.
Roger |
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