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

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.