Cracked Rotor

bebopsteve · 03-24-2013, 10:26 AM

While rotating tires last night discovered a cracked front brake rotor. 2nd one (@ 63k mi)..1st was @ 30k & warrantied by Dynatrac. This on a 2005 Ford EB w/SMB 4x4. Parts list for front axle indicates Ford F-350 or Dynatrac rotors...we have a trip to Moab and WRT planned after Easter...anybody have any other recommendations for replacement rotors? Even an upgrade would be good...thx

carringb · 03-24-2013, 10:43 AM

I've tried lots of aftermarket rotors, from generic Car-Quest to high-end cryo-treated stuff. Went back to Ford O.E. once Ford made them bigger ('08 on the 2wd vans). The Ford once have out-lasted any other rotor I've tried. I'm wondering if the DynaTrak rotors are not O.E. Ford? Might want to give the Ford ones a try.

**BroncoHauler** · 03-24-2013, 10:49 AM

When I had some service done a while back when I still owned my SMB (South Bay Car Care) they found one of my rotors warped on my Dynatrac axle. They got some replacement rotors, but they had to be redrilled to match up with the studs. Just something to think about, so it may not be a simple plug-and-play swap.

Herb

**daveb** · 03-24-2013, 11:50 AM

Went with Brake Man products and have yet to have any trouble. My van is close to 12K LBS and I do a lot of Sierra driving plus beaucoup off roading if that even matters. My guess is that you have to do the whole kit...rotors, and pads. I would go with a larger brake system in a flash if I didn't have to switch to 17" rims. FWIW the Brakeman pads have gone quite a bit longer than stock Ford and I lost some of the brake fade I had before. YMMV. The problem with after market stuff is that you are locked in to that product, so out on the road even though you can use a stock product to get you home, you'll have to do the job over once back. Brake Man will only sell to shops which is a problem if you want to do the job by yourself. Not sure if they will sell single parts to the public; you'd have to ask.

Myself I like the idea of oversized Ford brakes.

bebopsteve · 03-24-2013, 10:37 PM

Thanks alot for the input, guys. Looks like I have a couple of good choices. I think most of my stress related to this is due to the fact that I need to get these installed before our Friday departure. I was worried that everybody was out at Jeep Safari in Moab all week and that would leave me with a stuck van until next week. Good to know there are other superior products out there. Thanks again.

Abitibi · 04-03-2013, 11:24 PM

I just ordered from BrakeMan directly after having poor response from one of their local rep/shop so it's possible. It's not cheap though...

Since I'm building new front/rear axles and don't have wheels yet, I was tempted to see if I could fit the later/larger brakes (2005) to fit on my '03 axles. Wouldn't I just need new calipers or there's more involved?

Cheers
Mr. D

**daveb** · 04-04-2013, 08:27 AM

Brakemans larger brake system costs about 4K and requires 17" rims.

Abitibi · 04-04-2013, 06:36 PM

Say what!?! $4K that's crazy!

I don't have wheels yet so that's not the issue, the $4k is though! I paid about $760 for front/rear pads and rotors plus $90 freight so I'll tough it up...

Good luck OP with your issue...

Mr. D

**daveb** · 04-04-2013, 07:00 PM

I agree when you can put stock oversized Ford parts on and get results that might not be as good as Brakeman but a much better value for the money.

jage · 04-05-2013, 06:00 PM

Is this what you did Abitibi?
Or maybe the "Power Stop Brakes" mentioned as an alternative?

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6647

If not put parts in a new thread, I need to do something and I'm not sure what yet.