96 Explorer with binding front wheel.

[Bob Mayo]

I just replaced the brake pads and rotor on the front right side of my 96 Explorer W/4WD. The inner pad was a little more worn more than the outer and the inside rotor face seemed to have a narrow wear pattern, roughly an inch wide as compared to the outer which was the width of the contact surface. I suspected a binding caliper but when I compressed the pistons they went in pretty easily. With the new pads and rotor installed, I took it for a road test and noticed a shimmy or binding when I made a right turn from a stop. It is not felt in the steering or the brake pedal. Now I am wondering if there is a difference in rotors if ABS is installed on the car? Maybe it is a binding caliper but I only feel it on a right turn. Or does it have something to do with the ABS? Thanks. Bob

[inafogg]

Originally Posted by Bob Mayo

I just replaced the brake pads and rotor on the front right side of my 96 Explorer W/4WD. The inner pad was a little more worn more than the outer and the inside rotor face seemed to have a narrow wear pattern, roughly an inch wide as compared to the outer which was the width of the contact surface. I suspected a binding caliper but when I compressed the pistons they went in pretty easily. With the new pads and rotor installed, I took it for a road test and noticed a shimmy or binding when I made a right turn from a stop. It is not felt in the steering or the brake pedal. Now I am wondering if there is a difference in rotors if ABS is installed on the car? Maybe it is a binding caliper but I only feel it on a right turn. Or does it have something to do with the ABS? Thanks. Bob

you should always replace both sides when replacing brakes.
i would check the caliper slides to make sure they move freely

[Bob Mayo]

Thanks for the reply. I am planning on replacing the left side brake pads and rotor. It got late and was getting dark. In a way, that's a good thing because I know the problem is probably on the side I worked on. I cleaned and lubricated the slides. I noticed that some rotors say With/ABS. That's why I am wondering if the rotors I put on are the wrong type. Does anyone know the difference?

[shorod]

I cannot say for sure on the 1996, but the rotors with ABS probably have a toothed tone ring installed in them. I figured in 1996 the ABS ring is integrated in to the hub bearing though....

If there was uneven pad wear between the inner and outer pad, that would suggest a problem with the caliper slides as mentioned by inafogg rather than a caliper piston that isn't able to move freely.

When you installed the new rotor did you clean the rust inhibitor coating off of it? Did you make sure the rotor was seated on the hub and wheel torqued properly?

-Rod

[Bob Mayo]

Rod,

I think I noticed the tooth hub. I will look to see if the rotor has teeth also. I did not wipe off the rotor.this time. It looked clean and dry and they were sealed in plastic. But I usually do clean off new rotors. I guess I will check the slides and clean off the rotor next.

The rotor seemed to seat around the hub lip and I tightened the wheel by hand. There is no wobble or vibration. Thanks Rod.

[inafogg]

Originally Posted by Bob Mayo

Rod,

I think I noticed the tooth hub. I will look to see if the rotor has teeth also. I did not wipe off the rotor.this time. It looked clean and dry and they were sealed in plastic. But I usually do clean off new rotors. I guess I will check the slides and clean off the rotor next.

The rotor seemed to seat around the hub lip and I tightened the wheel by hand. There is no wobble or vibration. Thanks Rod.

most new rotors have a film on them(so not to rust while sitting on the self)this should be cleaned before installation.not much you can do at this point,unless you remove & clean rotors & sand pads.this film is a oily
substance so it may make the brakes not grab/stop properly

[Bob Mayo]

Here is an update. I took apart the right side brakes and cleaned off the rotor. There was some black stuff on the rag but it did not seem oily. The caliper slides freely. Reassembled and took it for a ride and felt the same pulsing when turning right. I drove it around for several more days. One thing I did prior to the brake job a few days earlier was to rotate the tires front to back. I think that what I am feeling is the tire skidding, sort of like the feeling you get when it is in 4wd and you turn on dry pavement, but not that bad. On wet pavement I don't feel it. I do not think that it had anything to do with the brake job. after all. The tire tread is getting low and uneven.

Thanks to all who responded. I guess there is a lesson to be learned here and that is to retrace your steps when something does not work out as planned.