I suspect the front right disk of my 53K-mile, 2000 Focus LX 1.8 Petrol (with ABS) is bent. I reported on problems with the middle bearing 6 months ago which, through misdiagnosis, led to replacing all three front bearings and the right driveshaft.
The front right wheel bearing went again and was replaced under warranty 2 weeks ago, on the next day I realised the front right brake was slightly binding (fixed by repositioning and adding copper-grease) on a specific part of the disk; the caliper was deemed to be pushing back OK, by pressing it back with a wrench.
On the next day I started hearing periodic noises when braking and an occasional knock when first pressing or when releasing the pedal. The periodic noise matches the wheel speed and happens when the brakes are warm (urban use is the classic case) and the pedal is pressed half-way through (or thereabouts, but the point is that it doesn't happen when lightly pressed and it doesn't happen when firmly pressed).
So my questions are:
- Can a bad repair on the bearing have caused the disk-warp. No, I do not sit on the brakes after stopping and the car has always had Ford shoes fitted. The car did approximately 15 suburban miles, with three stops, while the brake was binding.
- I am pretty certain that, if I change the disk, I also need to change the shoes. Do I also need to change the other disk and pads?
- Is the caliper suspect? What is a good test?
- If it's not the brake, what else can it be?
Thanks,
Kostas