BRAKE SHUDDER ISSUE

[DavoWA]

Firstly, let me say that I am one of the "fortunates" who haven't yet seen a problem, however I do mostly city type driving and still have under 5000kms on the clock.

I don't beat up on the brakes (often), nor do I do hard stops and sit with my foot on the pedal. My club racing/rallying education tells me why you don't do that.

I did have a VT series 1 company pedaller at one time and had no shudder problems in the 90000 kms I had it. I did have a VR (company pedaller again) many moons ago and had 2 brake shudder issues with that one, the first replaced the discs, problem re-occurred, then just machined the discs and the problem was fixed. Got rid of it at about 110000kms. At NO time during the shudder issues was the integrity of the brakes called into question, the vehicles always stopped as they should have, albeit with the shudder.

I do a fair bit of problem solving and root cause analysis work in my field of work and as the subject is not one that always throws up an easy answer, I agree with harasn and dbasteve that the potential causes for the problems are such that an immediate fix for every car is difficult, if not impossible.

It is unfortunate for those with the problem, but almost every case would have to be looked at on an individual basis in order to come up with a solution.

Things like driving styles, locations of places that you have to stop - downhills, uphills etc - and so on.

Maybe a set of aftermarket pads after a disc machine job would fix it? Cheaper than a court case.

Keep the thread informative and positive and we should all get some worthwhile information out of it.

[chrislak]

Picked up my car from the dealers today, and what do you know after 5800k's its time to book the contractor in the van to turn up and machine my rotors for the second time, apparently Ford has instructed them to keep on machining. I suppose it make sense for Ford to go down this path because machining must be a hell lot cheaper than replacing our rotors. I remember reading in the early does that the BA was going to be up there with BMW, cough cough after owning a BM not so long ago when there was something faulty there was no such thing as repair to was to be replaced under warranty. When you are trying to compare a Australia vehicle to a German made car you need to treat your customers with respect not as fools!

Ford should look at the whole situation and condiser what impact issues like these will do to sales, I personly know two other people that have taken there business else where due to amount of problems I have had.

Things cant be all that bad I suppose they fixed the water entering the boot(will have to wait and see), re adjusted the hand brake to stop pads scaping as I'm driving along, repaired the diff oil leak, repaired the exhaust heat shield to stop vibrating, replaced side blinker because it was filling up with water and ordered me a new windsreen because a high speeds the car sounds like a kettle boiling. Can you image what this car is going to be like at 100,000k's.

With all the noises that have been coming from my car its been a well tuned turbo charged percussion instrument, maybe I can join the XR6 Turbo brass band in drive up and down George Street on special occasions

[Guest falchoon58]

Firstly harasn, Its a very professional attitude you have. When your car spends more time at the dealer than in your own garage(and I'm not exagerating.) I think its fair enough to demand a rectification. And if you can't fix it, after numerous attempts, what is the owner to do?(Go away and let the after-market fix it?) I hope your attitude is not an indication af the general feeling at Ford, as being open- minded is far more constructive. Don't put the "blinkers" on. (and don't take it personally, as that's something you should leave behind in kindergarden!)

Secondly, Steve, my intention was never to "bag" DBA products, as I've been an avid fan and user of your products, with impressive results on my old EL.(and XE for that matter.) The point I was trying to make(obviously not very well) was that the fix is Fords responsibility, and that owners should not be paying to have a fault rectified.

Finally, I'm passing coment from my own personal experience, not just speculating. I've had discussions with various people involved with trying to find a fix (whom will remain autonomous) and know that some personel are finding it just as frustrating as I do when no fix is available after all this time. When you wait months(and again I'm not exagerating) and no fix is provided, what options do you have left? The shuddering does affect other components of the car, especially their longevity, such as ball joints, to tie-rods, wheel bearings, shock absorbers(dampers) etc. Who do you think is going to be up for all these costs?

[Guest]

dbasteve, you hear so much out there,Its not funny.I put Bendix metal kings in my XY351 for some track work,only to be told put XE calipers (wich seem tiny compared to XY surface area) and use performax pads. Did this only to find the next expert said you need to match surface area pad type ,booster size etc , to get the right combo. So from what I can see there aint no simple cure to the brake problem . Thank christ I got premium with the T. ps. now when I drive the XY and compare brakes to the T Im like Fred Flintstone and stick one foot out the door and try to stop,

[Guest dbasteve]

dbasteve, you hear so much out there,Its not funny.I put Bendix metal kings in my XY351 for some track work,only to be told put XE calipers (wich seem tiny compared to XY surface area) and use performax pads. Did this only to find the next expert said you need to match surface area pad type ,booster size etc , to get the right combo. So from what I can see there aint no simple cure to the brake problem . Thank christ I got premium with the T. ps. now when I drive the XY and compare brakes to the T Im like Fred Flintstone and stick one foot out the door and try to stop,

Your lucky. I have never met a brake expert in Australia. I talk to a lot of Eggberts who claim to be specialists though.

Track pads = Ferodo Racing DS2500 or DS3000, Pagid RS15, Hawk HT10, PFC 01.

Ultimates and Performax = casting stress and cracked rotors on the track. Great street pads though.

Yabba Dabba Doooo!

[Guest dbasteve]

Secondly, Steve, my intention was never to "bag" DBA products, as I've been an avid fan and user of your products, with impressive results on my old EL.(and XE for that matter.) The point I was trying to make(obviously not very well) was that the fix is Fords responsibility, and that owners should not be paying to have a fault rectified.

Hey Falcoon,

No problem. I can be a little harsh myself at times.

Your still welcome to bring your car in if you like. It would be good for us to see a car that turns rotors to cabbage so well. Easier to find problems!

Your correct about this problem being Fords responsibility but it would be foolish for them to start throwing money/parts onto customers vehicles without totally understanding the problem themselves.

[Antisocial]

Just for the record I have an Auto Turbo with 11,500k's and it was fine brake wise up untill about 10,000ks.

Before that is was a mix of highway and city driving.

After just one enthusiastic but certianly not extreeme run down and back up the Clyde mountain to the coast and back.

Now it shudders like a mad bas*ard.

[chrislak]

I called the Ford help line today (1800333306), advising I wasn't very happy about the machining fix, they advised that that's all they could do because replacing the rotors will only slow down the problem not fix it. The only time they will be replaced is when they get below the legal limit. Ford is working on a fix and a recal will be carried out when they have worked out the problem.

Another interesting point is that they told me that the pads and rotors will be under warranty for 100k 3 years due to the problems we have been experiencing.

I had another recall on my car something to do with the steering, get yours checked out.

[1axr]

chrislak

whats the prob with the stearing.

I have to take mine back soon for the brake shudder again

[Mitchy_G]

Maybe ford could offer the premium stoppers at a reduced price?