Ford Mondeo III (2000 - 2007) - 02 2.0 Petr Vibration under HEAVY braking

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Sun 1 Mar 2009 12:49
02 2.0 Petr Vibration under HEAVY braking - tonymuso
Hi again everyone.
My 2.0l Durateq Mondeo has started vibrating the steering wheel only on heavy braking at motorway speeds. In the past on my other cars, this has turned out to be seized caliper guide pins, but I believe worn discs can also be to blame. The pads all round were last changed 35k miles ago. The fronts pads still have 6.5mm of thickness, the discs appear ok, and the guide pins aren't seized. I haven't got the rear calipers off yet to inspect the pads and guide pins, but took the wheels off for a quick look and the rear discs look more worn than the fronts. Could this be the trouble do you think, as under heavy braking the rears are doing more work? Is there anything else I should check? If the rear discs are excessively worn, can I replace them without changing the pads, which I'm expecting to still have plenty of meat on them, or should I renew the pads with the discs?

thanks in advance
Tony
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Sun 1 Mar 2009 13:52
02 2.0 Petr Vibration under HEAVY braking - Woodspeed
The most obvious cause is a warped (slightly) front disc. Sounds like they are getting on a bit as you say you changed pads 35k miles ago, so previous miles + 35k !! The rears do very little work under braking (as the weight transfer goes to the front) and logically, would not cause the steering wheel to vibrate. If you do change them it would be a good idea, regardless, to change the pads (as these will have worn to the old discs). My money would be on the front discs. If you do change then give all the pins and slide points a good clean with a wire brush and of course change the pads as well.
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Sun 1 Mar 2009 15:24
02 2.0 Petr Vibration under HEAVY braking - tonymuso
thanks alot for that, which does make sense. I bought the (ex-lease) car with 74k on the clock. Looking at the paperwork, I don't think the discs have ever been changed, and current mileage is just short of 110k! They don't owe me much do they! To be honest, I'm amazed there's so much left on the pads! Are Ford parts always this durable? This is the first I've owned.
cheers
Tony
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Sun 1 Mar 2009 15:38
02 2.0 Petr Vibration under HEAVY braking - Woodspeed
Wow, that is a very high milage for front discs!
Generally i have found that genuine manufacturers pads do last longer and have the right friction mix for the car. Even so called quality pads - Mintex, Bendix, Ferodo, etc, don't last as long and I have experienced fade with many "replacement" pads on my Honda and VW other than original. Although in your case (Ford) don't make the pads, they will be specified to an exact spec for the vehicle. Have also found more fit and forget ease with "genuine" pads - no fade, no stiction, no squeel, than even top name replacement parts. Price difference not that great either.
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