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2018 F-150 Lariat - Pulsating Brakes & Grinding Noise When Stopping

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Chris P. · rep 0 · May 22, 2:25 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat

Hey everyone,

I'm experiencing some concerning issues with the brakes on my 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat, which has about 70,000 miles on it. When I apply the brakes, especially at higher speeds, the pedal pulsates quite a bit, and there's a distinct grinding noise coming from the front end.

It started subtly a few weeks ago but has gotten progressively worse. I'm wondering if this is just a case of warped rotors and worn pads, or if it could be something more serious like a caliper issue or even an ABS sensor problem. Has anyone else with a similar F-150 experienced this? Any advice on what to check first would be greatly appreciated!

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 2:25 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

Your description of pulsating brakes and grinding noise on your 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat strongly suggests issues within your braking system. This is a common problem with several potential causes:

  1. Warped Rotors: The most frequent cause of a pulsating brake pedal is warped brake rotors. Overheating can cause the rotor surface to become uneven, leading to the pedal pulsation as the pads contact the high and low spots.
  2. Worn Brake Pads: Grinding noises typically indicate severely worn brake pads, where the metal backing plate is now contacting the rotor. This causes significant damage to the rotors and reduces braking effectiveness.
  3. Sticking Caliper: A caliper that isn't releasing properly can cause uneven pad wear, overheating, and a constant drag, leading to pulsation and grinding. It might also pull the vehicle to one side.
  4. Wheel Bearings: Less common, but a failing wheel bearing can sometimes mimic brake issues, causing noise and vibration.
  5. ABS Sensor (Less Likely for Grinding/Pulsation Alone): While an ABS sensor issue (e.g., C0031-C0035 for wheel speed sensors) can cause the ABS light to illuminate and affect braking, it's less likely to be the primary cause of grinding and pulsation without other symptoms.

What to do:

  1. Immediate Inspection: Visually inspect your brake pads and rotors. Look for deep grooves, uneven wear, or very thin pads.
  2. Professional Diagnosis: Due to the safety-critical nature of brakes, it's highly recommended to have a qualified mechanic inspect your vehicle immediately. They can accurately diagnose the issue by:
    • Measuring rotor runout.
    • Checking pad thickness and wear patterns.
    • Inspecting caliper function and slide pins.
    • Checking for any play in wheel bearings.

When to see a shop: Immediately. Driving with compromised brakes is extremely dangerous. Do not delay this repair.

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