FAULTBASE
NEWSASKCars
© 2025 FAULTBASE
All rights reserved.
v2.0.0 • Production
ContactPrivacyImpressum
Home/Cars/Ford/F-150/Fourteenth Generation (2021-present)/my Ford F-150 shakes when I brake, what should I check?

my Ford F-150 shakes when I brake, what should I check?

Ford F-150 Fourteenth Generation (2021-present)

Severity: highDifficulty: medium2-4 hours
3 min read
555 words

⚠️ Safety Warning

This issue requires immediate attention. If you are not experienced with automotive repairs, consult a professional mechanic. Working on critical systems can be dangerous.

Problem Statement

Learn how to diagnose and fix brake shaking issues in Ford F-150. Step-by-step guide with symptoms, diagnostic steps, and repair instructions.

Component
Brakes
Repair Time
2-4 hours

Safety Warnings

  • ⚠Always use jack stands when working under a vehicle.
  • ⚠Allow the vehicle to cool before working on the braking system.

Symptoms

  • •Steering wheel shakes during braking
  • •Vibration felt in the brake pedal
  • •Uneven brake pad wear
  • •Increased stopping distance
  • •Possible noise (grinding or squeaking) when braking

Diagnostic Steps

  1. 1Inspect front brake rotors for warping by measuring thickness with a micrometer.
  2. 2Check brake pads for wear and ensure they are within manufacturer's specifications.
  3. 3Examine suspension components including control arms and bushings for wear or damage.
  4. 4Inspect wheel lug nut torque to ensure they are properly tightened.
  5. 5Perform a visual inspection of the brake calipers for proper operation and any leakage.
  6. 6Check tire balance and alignment to rule out other causes of shaking.

Solution

Solution

1. Preparation

  • Gather necessary tools: jack, jack stands, lug wrench, micrometer, socket set, and torque wrench.
  • Park the vehicle on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and allow the engine to cool.

2. Raise the Vehicle

  • Use the jack to lift the front of the vehicle and secure it with jack stands.
  • Remove the front wheels using a lug wrench.

3. Inspect and Replace Brake Rotors

  • Inspect Rotors:
    • Use a micrometer to measure rotor thickness; replace if below specifications.
  • Replace Rotors:
    • Remove the caliper bolts and slide the caliper off the rotor.
    • Remove the rotor retaining screws, if applicable, and slide the rotor off the hub.
    • Install the new rotor, ensuring it is properly aligned and secured.
    • Reinstall the caliper over the new rotor and tighten caliper bolts to manufacturer specifications.

4. Inspect and Replace Brake Pads

  • Remove the caliper from the rotor as described above.
  • Remove the old brake pads from the caliper bracket.
  • Install new brake pads, ensuring they are correctly positioned and secured.
  • Use a C-clamp to compress the caliper piston if necessary to fit over the new pads.

5. Reassemble and Lower Vehicle

  • Reinstall the front wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
  • Lower the vehicle from the jack stands and torque the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specifications.
  • If suspension components were inspected and found faulty, replace them as needed following the respective service manual.

6. Test the Brakes

  • Start the vehicle and pump the brake pedal to ensure the calipers are properly seated.
  • Conduct a test drive at low speeds to check for any remaining vibrations.

Verification

After completing the repair, verify that the issue has been resolved:

  • Test the affected component to ensure it functions correctly
  • Check for any error codes or warning lights
  • Monitor the vehicle for a few days to ensure the issue does not recur

Prevention Tips

To prevent this issue from occurring again:

  • •Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule
  • •Address warning signs early before they develop into major issues
  • •Use quality parts and fluids recommended for your vehicle
  • •Keep detailed records of all repairs and maintenance

Tools & Equipment Required

  • Jack
  • Jack stands
  • Lug wrench
  • Micrometer
  • Socket set
  • Torque wrench
  • C-clamp

Parts Required

  • Brake rotors
  • Brake pads
  • Suspension components

Additional Information

Component

Brakes

Repair Time

2-4 hours

Difficulty

medium

Severity

high

Tools

7 items

Parts

3 items

Related Faults

Discover similar issues

  1. why does my Ford F-150's check engine light keep coming on

    Learn how to diagnose and fix the check engine light issue in your Ford F-150. Step-by-step guide with symptoms, diagnostic steps, and repair instruct...

    Component:Engine
    Symptoms
    • •Check engine light illuminated
    • •Rough idle or engine misfires
    • +{count} more
  2. what does a P0301 code mean for my Ford F-150

    P0301

    Learn how to diagnose and fix P0301 cylinder 1 misfire in Ford F-150. Step-by-step guide with diagnostic procedures and repair instructions.

    Component:Engine
    Symptoms
    • •Check engine light illuminated
    • •Rough idle or engine shaking
    • +{count} more
  3. why does my Ford F-150 have a chemical smell coming from the vents

    Learn how to diagnose and fix a chemical smell from the vents in your Ford F-150. Step-by-step guide with symptoms, diagnostic steps, and repair instr...

    Component:HVAC
    Symptoms
    • •Chemical odor inside the cabin
    • •Unusual sounds from the HVAC system
    • +{count} more
  4. how to fix my Ford F-150 heater that only blows cold air?

    Learn how to diagnose and fix the heater blowing cold air in your Ford F-150. Step-by-step guide with diagnostic procedures and repair instructions.

    Component:HVAC
    Symptoms
    • •Heater blows cold air regardless of temperature setting
    • •Engine temperature gauge reading lower than normal
    • +{count} more
  5. how to fix my Ford F-150 that won’t hold the refrigerant charge?

    Learn how to diagnose and fix A/C not holding refrigerant in Ford F-150. Step-by-step guide with diagnostic procedures and repair instructions.

    Component:HVAC
    Symptoms
    • •Air conditioning system blowing warm air
    • •Frequent cycling of the A/C compressor
    • +{count} more
  6. how to reset the climate control system on my Ford F-150?

    Learn how to reset the climate control system on your Ford F-150. Step-by-step guide with symptoms, diagnostic steps, and repair instructions.

    Component:HVAC
    Symptoms
    • •Climate control display is unresponsive
    • •Inconsistent temperature regulation
    • +{count} more

Share this solution

Comments

Sign in to share your thoughts

Sign In

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts

Back to Generation