2002 Ford Explorer ABS and cross-drilled rotors

GMANJACK

MEMBER
2002 FORD EXPLORER
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
166,000 MILES

I was recently given an Explorer Sport with cross-drilled rotors. The brakes are fairly new, but occasionally it feels like the brakes are ("sliding" I guess is the best way to describe it) against the rotors. They do not make any sort of squeaking or grinding noise. I was wondering if maybe the ABS sensor needs to be recalibrated to account for the different type of rotors, and if so, how much that sort of thing might cost. Or, if that isn't the answer, then what you might think the problem is.

Thank you for your help,
Gary

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,870 POSTS

ABS wheel speed sensors don't have any idea what type of rotors are on the vehicle. They look at the teeth on a ring on an outer cv joint or inside a wheel bearing assembly. If you think there's something wrong with the system, the place to start is by having the diagnostic fault codes read and recorded. If there are none, you'll have to determine exactly what is happening. If the system is doing a false activation, meaning reducing brake pressure to one or more wheels when it's not needed, that's almost always due to a signal dropping out from a properly-working speed sensor. There could be rust buildup or metal filings on the end of the magnet. A tone ring could be cracked. You'll need a scanner to view the wheel speed data during a test drive to see which sensor is involved.