brakes chatter

HELP please - just done a complete brake job front & rear / was getting a hard chatter in the pedal - but only when starting off driving at low speed / seems to be coming from the fronts. Bled brakes and also replaced the rotors & thought the chatter had stopped. It started again 2 days later & even seems to be worse now / I wonder if replacing the calipers will solve it ?? 1998 Windstar 79650 miles / thanks

Is it possible the ABS is kicking in?

Get ready for my "standard reply"!

Lubrication! Did you lube the "caliper guide pins"... the ones that have the little dust boots? When the pads are removed, the caliper should be free to slide effortlessly in-out on the guide pins.

Also make sure all (four per side) stainless steel "anchor plate slippers" are in place and oriented properly.

I haven't had a problem with the brakes on my Winny yet, but if those pads aren't sticking to the caliper arms, then they can chatter. On older-model vehicles there's a paste you can get at the auto store to essentially glue the back of the pad to the caliper arm/piston. Again, haven't broken into the brakes on my pig yet, so don't how relevent that is here.

OK I did install new guide pins on both sides & lubed them also gorgot to mention earlier / ABS light is on has been on since I bought the Used van / but problem just started & was before I done the brake job /

what are anchor plate slippers ? Is that the stick on shims that came with the pads ?

They are part #2L200. Ford (as usual) can't decide on a description to be used by everyone...on the shop manual exploded view they are referred to as "shoe slippers". The manual also says to replace with each pad replacement (HUH??). They clip in place on the caliper... and are to prevent the ends of the pads from contacting, directly, the caliper metal.

They will not be supplied with replacement pads.

12ounce,

I suppose it depends on which brand of replacement pads you get. I bought Monroe Pads (from Canadian Tire in Canada) and they came with the slippers and the dressing for the caliper piston to pad contact area.

Needless to say I was impressed.

Me too.

I just pulled the wheels & looked at everything again. The only items on the pads are the stick on shims & there are springs on the backside of all pads that keep it off of the caliper. Also, the Haynes manual does not show anything else either ?? The problem did start BEFORE I replaced the pads so I am at a loss - I am going to rebuild the calipers this weekend & see if that will solve it / thanks to all and if there are any other suggestions & replies /bring 'em on I need the help - thanks again

Jamie
I just took a look at the disc brake photos in Haynes and at AutoZone.com. These look almost nothing like my '99 ... so I don't believe your caliper has the "slippers". Sorry for the misinfo.

Jamie
I just took a look at the disc brake photos in Haynes and at AutoZone.com. These look almost nothing like my '99 ... so I don't believe your caliper has the "slippers". Sorry for the misinfo.

NO problen at all , I appreciate the help thanks

lUBING SLIDES IS THE KEY

I unplugged the "L" maxi-fuse & the problem has stopped / was ABS trying to activate the whole time. thanks

Okay, if you were getting brake chatter prior to replacement of the brakes, it sounds like an ABS problem, especially if the light stays on. This is usually associated with a broken ABS wheel Sensor. When you removed the brakes, did you notice if any the pads were cracked..if you did find a cracked pad, check the ABS sensor for that wheel. You'll find the ABS sensor by jacking up the car, then looking behind the rotor/drum ass'y, you'll notice a wire that's attached to a piece that will look more like an oxygen sensor. You'll need a 10mm box end wrench to remove the bolt, then you pull the sensor out. I recently had that problem on my dad's windstar...most shops were asking $1,000 to fix the problem..I was able to fix it for less than $75! Only Ford Dealers have the Wheel sensor..hope this was of help!

If you are getting brake chatter while just before coming to a complete stop, it's most likely a broken ABS sensor ring on one of the front halfshaft. Look carefully at the toothed ring right next to each outboard CV joint - it's probably loose and cracked. Otherwise, it's probably one of the ABS wheel sensor - you'll have to look at all four. Been there done that.