pulsating brakes?

[Ranch96]

My truck is a 96 F350 with 180,000 miles on it. I just bought it a couple of weeks ago. Very clean truck, good service history. Question is...when I hit the brakes fairly hard the pedal pulsates under my foot. Checked the front pads and they are pretty new. What do y'all think? Rear pads or booster/master cylinder? Other?

[Clay Henry]

Sounds to me like a warped front rotor.
Are they new also? Probably got surfaced too thin and warped.
If you have a mic, check there thickness and see if you might need new ones.

[Logan]

It dose not feel like an ABS type feel does it? Just a thought if you are hitting them hard.

[Patrick]

I would check the rotors. If they are thin and warped that is the feeling your getting. Might be time for some Powerslots.

[Ranch96]

Don't know why I didn't think about the rotors. They did'nt look too thin. If one is warped and not too thin, can it be resurfaced? Any idea what the minimum thickness should be? I can get my hands on a mic.
brrs3633, no, its not just the abs kickin' in. I'm not hitting them that hard. Its more of a constant pulse.
Thanks for all the help guys. I'll pull the tires off this evening (when its not 105 degrees!!) and take a look.

[Clay Henry]

It's definately the rotors. I make it a rule to surface them once only then replace them so this never happens.
Pull them off and take them to your nearest brake specialist shop and they can tell you if there are warped and too thin.

[fordnut85]

If you pull the rotor off look at the back of the rotor, they usually cast the min. thinkness on the back. The problem you have with turning them is usually by the time they take enough meat off both sides to make it straight they end up too thin. You best bet is to go ahead and replace them.

[Patrick]

Fordnut is right, The truck we tow our pulling truck around with ate rotors every year. They are always too thin after a cut. We pulled a set of powerslots off the shelf and saved alot of hassel. A set of Hawk pads and Powerslot rotors will last much longer than factory. Larrys little Honda is getting a set on the front tomorrow if you want some practice. lol

[Ranch96]

Thanks again. I guess if one is warped, I'll just go ahead and replace them both. Pads are almost new.

[mschn99]

For the price you can get a rotor for, i would say just plan on replacing the front rotors...they are not that expencive for your truck, although you will need two front wheel seals and will need to repack the front wheel bearings as a side note..