J-Douglas
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• San Antonio, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 3/18/2004 |
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• 89 posts |
• 1
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 Posted:2/3/2005 08:39 |
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A few weeks ago, I was on the phone arguing with Ford in attempt to convince them to replace my defective warped front brake rotors. They refused. So, I was forced to live with horribly warped rotors on my 2004 Ex with only 19,000 miles!!!!! It was so bad that it would shake Coke out of my cupholders, and change out of my ashtray!!! This is rediculous!!! I'll get off my soapbox now.
Well, I was searching around the Excursion forum and I found a post that recommended tightening the lugnuts to 165 lb. ft. torque. I tried it. I torqued and re-torqued my lugnuts every few days for the first week just to make sure I was RIGHT on 165lb.ft. Mysteriously enough, it was a MIRACLE fix for my warped rotors!!!! I have NOT felt a single ounce of steering wheel shimmer when I apply the brakes. I mean, the problem is GONE.
The recommendations call for 160 lb. ft. But, I am now using EXACTLY 165 and it has worked like a dream.... like a new set of rotors! When considering how TIGHT I used to make those lugnuts, I can't imagine how far off I was on the ideal torque. Yikes!
I must say that I also installed new tires and rims. But, I do not see any correlation between the new tires/rims and the improved rotor performance. SO, I attribute the miracle fix to following closely to 165 lb. ft. of torque to the lugnuts. It's a new set of rotors! Of couse, I still can't explain why it works!
TRY IT!
5.5" Fabtech, 37x12.5x17 BFG AllTerrains, 17x9 Helo Maxx 8 Chrome. 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel. |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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 Posted:2/3/2005 08:51 |
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Good to hear the 165 flbs worked out for you,we had done the adjustment at about 20,000 with a very slight vibration but then again we have stock wheels/tires and the wife is a hard braker.
The warped disc feel is pretty much gone 
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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birdman127
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• baltimore, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 10/13/2002 |
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• 581 posts |
• 1
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Posted:2/3/2005 15:58 |
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84,000 + miles on OEM rotors but the wheels have always been 165lbs....
Glad to hear your happy on the fix 
+++I TOW TOO
Moderator
Scott
2000 ltd 6.8 V10*4.30LS*
Lots of mods
check my gallery
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flyfishingguru
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• Annapolis, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 12/31/2003 |
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• 120 posts |
• 1
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Posted:2/3/2005 21:35 |
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Funny thing, I mysterious cured my problem with the rotors as well. Upgraded the lift to six inch the other week so of course the wheels were removed. I tightened them with an impact and drove about 50 miles. Of course aftermarket wheels will loosen up so after the virgin drive with the new lift, I torqued all the lugs to 150 and the rotor warp shimmy was gone! Only thing I can think of is WTF? 
Scott
2003 Excursion XLT , Fabtech 6" Lift Kit,,Gibson Catback Exhaust ,K&N Air Intake, Alpine/Infinity/XM System,Roof Clearence Lights, "C" BETR Mirrors,Thule Roof Rack, Eddie Bauer Grille, Husky Floor Liners , American Racing Outlaw II 16x8 Wheels and 33" Goodyear ATS Tires |
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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 |
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Posted:2/4/2005 05:53 |
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I have 26000+ miles on my 2003 V-10 Excursion and upgrade the disk brake pads to PFC's and changed the front brake lines to Stainless Steel. At about 5000 miles, at the recommendation of this Forum, I torqued the wheel lugs to 160 #ft. No brake vibration and the brake upgrade improved the brake performance by 100 percent.
Also I had a vibration in the 65+ MPH range and with a 1/4 inch wedge tipped the front end of the rear axle up to line up the rear u-joint. (Again at the recommendation of this forum).Smooth ride to at least 90 MPH - have'nt run up past that, but at the Normal freeway speeds of 70 to 80 MPH it is perfect.
This Forum is Great!!!!! |
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J-Douglas
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• San Antonio, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 3/18/2004 |
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• 89 posts |
• 1
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Posted:2/4/2005 09:34 |
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what are PFC brake pads?
5.5" Fabtech, 37x12.5x17 BFG AllTerrains, 17x9 Helo Maxx 8 Chrome. 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel. |
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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:2/4/2005 14:39 |
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PFC is Performance Friction Corporation. www.performancefriction.com A carbon Metallic Pad maker in NC. Sold thru Autozone usually,but you can buy direct,. About $100. for Fronts and Rears together. These pads are easy on the rotors,stop great(much better than stock Ford Parts) and virtually NO residue on the wheels. The best of all worlds. |
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Andy Anderson
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• Jacksonville, FL, USA |
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• Registered on 1/17/2005 |
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• 77 posts |
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Posted:2/4/2005 16:27 |
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Wondering the type of torque wrench you use, Dial type? or Needle? I am 6'1" 240 lb and it was just about all I had to get to 130 ft lb. Is one more accurate than the other? |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
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Posted:2/4/2005 16:50 |
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I've always used the dial type torque wrenches,I have one that goes to 150 but Sears has a nice one that goes to 250 for under $100 USD that I'm going to purchase.
Craftsman 1/2" drive torque wrench
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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JohnBoy
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• DFW, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 9/3/2002 |
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• 972 posts |
• 2
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Posted:2/4/2005 23:08 |
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At those type of pressures - a needle type is just too hard for me to "see" and stop accurately...
(from all the straining and grunting at the same time  )
2005 6.0L 4x4 Eddie Bauer Ex
2003 6.0L 4x4 Limited Ex - traded in (BooHoo )
"The Republicans should back off and let men marry men, women marry women, and legalize abortion. In three generations there would be no Democrats." |
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