Focus man, Focus.,Apr 9 2009, 12:00 PM Wrote:Does the brake rotor look like it has had a lot of heat put to it? If not, it may also be the wheel bearing.  A stuck caliper won't cause vibrations.
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Nutella,Apr 9 2009, 11:34 AM Wrote:I have a 2006 Focus ZXW with 33K kms.

On the hwy, the steering started vibrating above 100 km/h.  Then it went away and came back periodically.  Felt like balancing of the tire but that cant just go away.

So I jacked the front up and found the front-right wheel is stiff when spinning it. It won't spin freely (in neutral). 

So the caliper is dragging.  I guess it's the slider bolts or the piston stuck?

Is this a common problem?  I guess I should lube the slider bolts and try again?
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Gabriel,Apr 9 2009, 02:23 PM Wrote:

Nutella,Apr 9 2009, 11:34 AM Wrote:I have a 2006 Focus ZXW with 33K kms.

On the hwy, the steering started vibrating above 100 km/h.  Then it went away and came back periodically.  Felt like balancing of the tire but that cant just go away.

So I jacked the front up and found the front-right wheel is stiff when spinning it. It won't spin freely (in neutral). 

So the caliper is dragging.  I guess it's the slider bolts or the piston stuck?

Is this a common problem?  I guess I should lube the slider bolts and try again?
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If you tried to turn the wheel (jacked up ) and it didn't turn freely it's got to be because either the caliper's piston doesn't return properly , or like you said the slider bolts are not allowing the caliper to move easily . Also if the pads are worn out , sometimes the piston goes too far out and won't return .But in either case , the pads will rub continuously against the rotor , that could warp because of the heat , even if it won't go as far as having smoking or overheating to make the bearing seize . Anyway , It seems to me that Ford installs poor quality rotors . It happened on my '96 Windstar and I had to turn the rotors several times and I have now the same problem with the '06 E-250 with just 30k on .
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Nutella,Apr 9 2009, 02:54 PM Wrote:

Gabriel,Apr 9 2009, 02:23 PM Wrote:

Nutella,Apr 9 2009, 11:34 AM Wrote:I have a 2006 Focus ZXW with 33K kms.

On the hwy, the steering started vibrating above 100 km/h.  Then it went away and came back periodically.  Felt like balancing of the tire but that cant just go away.

So I jacked the front up and found the front-right wheel is stiff when spinning it. It won't spin freely (in neutral). 

So the caliper is dragging.  I guess it's the slider bolts or the piston stuck?

Is this a common problem?  I guess I should lube the slider bolts and try again?
[right][snapback]284673[/snapback][/right]

If you tried to turn the wheel (jacked up ) and it didn't turn freely it's got to be because either the caliper's piston doesn't return properly , or like you said the slider bolts are not allowing the caliper to move easily . Also if the pads are worn out , sometimes the piston goes too far out and won't return .But in either case , the pads will rub continuously against the rotor , that could warp because of the heat , even if it won't go as far as having smoking or overheating to make the bearing seize . Anyway , It seems to me that Ford installs poor quality rotors . It happened on my '96 Windstar and I had to turn the rotors several times and I have now the same problem with the '06 E-250 with just 30k on .
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Pads are fine as this problem just started recently and there is only 33K. I hope its not bearing or piston. My first guess is the sliders which I have to check and lube.

I tried to remove the caliper but didnt have 7mm hex, which I believe is what I need
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Gabriel,Apr 9 2009, 03:25 PM Wrote:if the problem is persisting , machine the rotors  , i'm pretty sure it will help...
to check the bearing , remove the brake pads , but leave the wheel on and turn it , it should have play or a certain grinding sound , but my feel says it's not the bearing ... just an opinion

Nutella,Apr 9 2009, 03:47 PM Wrote:[quote=Gabriel,Apr 9 2009, 03:25 PM]if the problem is persisting , machine the rotors  , i'm pretty sure it will help...
to check the bearing , remove the brake pads , but leave the wheel on and turn it , it should have play or a certain grinding sound , but my feel says it's not the bearing ... just an opinion