i have a focus svt. i posted a question asking what would cause it. the answers were brake booster, master cylinder, vacuum leak. the first dealer that i took it too, duplicated my problem, turned the rotors, put new pads on it. that solved nothing. they again duplicated the problem but told me there was nothing wrong. they said that was normal. they have a salesman there who has the same model, and he said it was normal. we parted on less than friendly terms.
when it did it again, i took the car to a different dealer. they said that the rotors were under spec. they replaced all four rotors. the car seems to stop okay so far,
the first dealer(both ford dealers) says the second was is just trying to make money. and the service manager says that the rotors wont cause my problem. that is amusing because they said that there was no problem.
can anyone help me? thanks!




Coming Terms: 1995 Gmc Jimmy Hard Brake Pedal,

F150 Vacuum Leak Hard Brake Pedal,

Gas Pedal Hard To Push In 2001 Nissan Altima,

Is It Hard With No Power Steering ,

Bmw 323i Power Steering Is Hard,

and Bmw Mini Power Steering Hard.


Related Images
Pedal Pad pedal kit car Clutch Pedal Bearing rear Rotors 911 rear Rotors

Advertisement

7 Responses to Can Underspec Rotors Cause A Hard Pedal With Very Little Stopping Power?

Avatar

goldwing

February 9th, 2010 at 3:15 am

LEt me say this. If the first place turned your rotors below specks I would seek leagle action . It is agenst the law to turn rotors under specks. Why do you think these specks are there. You are luckey you were able to stop at all.
If you have a hrd peddle and it is hard to stop the break boster ie loosing a vacuum. This unit is what makes it easy to stop. INstede of your hole foot pushing with all uou have you can stop by just pushing with your toes. Theis is what a booster does.
Yes I would say that the first place was out to get you for all thy could.

Avatar

Pops

February 9th, 2010 at 3:15 am

Never heard of under spec rotors causing hard braking. They usually warp easily.
Are you sure they replaced the rotors or the brake PADS? Metallic brake pads are much harder than the fiber ones.
The pads are more apt to cause hard braking.
Anyway, it cost you extra money but your problem is solved. You can argue with them, sue them or just eat the cost. At least, the next time you need repairs you will know where to go. Good luck. Pops

Avatar

Windows Mobile smartphones

February 9th, 2010 at 3:15 am

Rotors that are too thin could cause this problem as the brake caliper pistons has a limited range of operation, they can only extend a certain amount and beyond that the pistons are not pushing the pads on the rotor with much force. But the combination of a the parts with the new rotors could be the final parts needed in the problem. You answered the question when you said the brakes are working now. Factoid, Repair shops always say that’s normal when they don’t really know what is wrong with the car. This shows that they are not a honest repair facility.

Avatar

shelcom

February 9th, 2010 at 3:15 am

Ford is famous for under-specing parts. They’ve been doing it for the last 30+ years. Get high performance rotors and pads and that should help some.

Avatar

lithiumd

February 9th, 2010 at 3:15 am

The brake rotors will not cause this problem, if I understand it correctly.
I am reading this as “I press the brake pedal with a lot of force, but it barely moves, and the car doesn’t brake much”. The rotor cannot be solely responsible, because if the rotor were blocking the travel of the brake pedal (through its linkages), the rotor would be being squeezed by the brake pads, stopping the car.
In a brake system, the force you use to push on the brake pedal is multiplied by a lever system (the pedal is on one end of the lever), then multiplied further by a hydraulic piston system. The problem could be in either of these two systems, or it could be in the brake housing itself. I would not suspect the rotors in this case.
However, if I have misinterpreted it, and you are able to push the brake pedal to the floor, then the problem is completely different.

Avatar

JT B ford man

February 9th, 2010 at 3:15 am

First of all when replacing brakes they measure the rotors for thickness if to thin they will not turn them and you will have to replace them but not from the dealer, A rotor that is to thin will stop but will leave your breaks a bit spongy. hope this helps.

Avatar

SAM I AM

February 9th, 2010 at 3:15 am

Yes under spec rotors will cause hard breaking that’s why the US DOT and auto manufacturers have made such tight safety regulations on brake systems. I have seen allot of the later models focuses and mustangs have poor breaking due to the fact that the break caliper was not designed to expand and compensate for the extra depth caused by extremely worn break components

Comment Form

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About this site

In the 9th of May 2009, 1800AutoPart make over this site to be place where you can make a question where or how you should buy auto parts or parts replacement for your cars or motorcycles

Premium Advertiser


eXTReMe Tracker