cje150-99

Hello, I have a 1999 Ford E-150 van that I use for my plumbing business. I bought it new in 99 and since that time I only get around 12,000 miles out of a set of front brakes, and almost every brake job requires new rotors because I'm told they can't be cut or resurfaced. Is this true? Are there other options to get around this issue? Every 12k for brakes is getting old. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Chuck Jaxel....

cje150-99

I suppose I posed this wrong, is this common place for these vans. Did Ford use too small of a brake system? Seems weird. I've talked to other owners of E series vans and they seem to be having similar quick wear issues in the 94-99 ranges. If anyone has any info I'd appreciate your replys. Thanks...

OlSkool

why dont you use better brake pads. IDK if EBC green stuff makes pads for you van. or even if you wanna go another route look into. cryogenics. i dont know if u are familar with this term, but from what ive been told at school by instructors. NHRA IHRA SCCA all use cryogenics for there materials, i guess they freeze the materials to 300 degrees below and let it slowly within a few weeks drop down to room level. heres a web site for you to look into. Il PM it to you.

fogie

I need to work on the breaks for the first time on my E350 at 60K. I consider this pretty good. My disapointment is that the rotors are badly pitted (not scored) and must be replaced. The vehicle is only a 2003 and should definately not need new rotors. Could you problem be with the rotors are pitting prematurely? I have heard a few owner Econoline owners complain about the rotors.

360ci

OE parts are good enough for the vehicle to be sold to the consumer. Stopping a loaded van that drives mostly city miles will eat brakes up even faster. Powerslot rotors and Hawk HD pads would be the best defense. They hav ea great rep and I used them on my old drag-spec '91 mustang which was abused every weekend and I never replaced the pads until I sold it in 2000 (converted the brakes over in 96). I use hawk pads on all my vehicles, long wear, low dust and decently priced for the average consumer!

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'00 Durango R/T 360ci 290hp (modded); 138,500m
'06 Pontiac G6 GT 3.5L 220hp; 44,000m
'12 Chrysler 200 Limited 3.6L 283hp; 13,000m
'99 Taurus 3.0L 2V Vulcan 145hp; 154,300m - Traded
Amsoil in all vehicles!

Uncle Rice

How much weight are you carrying in this van compared to the listed limit? It sounds like you van is on the light side for the weight you are carrying. Contractors generally use 3/4 ton vans. They have larger brakes for the heavier weight.

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REDhat

The first I noticed with my E350 was that the brakes werent up to snuff. I recently replaced the rear self adjusters and spring set things are somewhat better now, I am recently noticing some decline in function, the point being that for the most part the brake on the econoline are inferior to the job. One fares much better if all four are contributing not just the front discs, do you notice a dive when stopping hard? A shock upgrade in front will help.
Beyond that listen to olskool, I allready purchased powerslot cryo rotors and Yellow stuff pads for my next brake job.