I've finally gotten settled in here in Florida... gotta say, my wife loves the weather here for sure!

I think it's time for brakes. I've put nearly 20k miles on the truck since I bought it in November, 2012, much of those pulling a 25k trailer. The truck is still stopping just fine, but I feel like it's taking too long to stop and I'm not sure I could stop on a dime like I used to if I needed to.

So current dilemma--to do them myself or take the truck to Midas?

Pros for doing it myself: Cheaper.
Pros for Midas: Lifetime warranty, and I no longer have access to my shop with floor jack, jack stands, air powered tools, etc...

Thoughts? If I do it myself, what do you guys recommend?

 

id recommend motorcraft rotors and pads. worked great on the truck before so i figured id just put the same things back on. i did go with the severe duty..or whatever the blue pads are called. my truck stops pretty well

 

You should take a look first. I've got 94,000+ & 70,000+ towing our 37ft. 1/5 whl. Changed the fronts @ 58K with plenty remaining thinking they might need it, had the pads so just went ahead & changed them & just replaced the rears @ 94K+ with at least 1/4 inch left. I used the Hawk Super Duty front & rear.

Good luck!

 

Motorcraft pads are fantastic. Doubt you need rotors unless you're feeling a pulsing in the brake pedal.

Josh

 

If pads have life left just bleed out all the fluid, might restore your performance. On my todo list as well

Sent from my Sprint PC36100 using IB AutoGroup

 

Howdy,


Well, you didn't provide enough information.

Take the truck to Midas and get the estimate for 4 new rotors + 4 new (loaded) calipers Installed.

Determine what they're going to replace. Will they just turn your rotors or will they replace them?

Will you get rebuilt calipers or will they just swap the pads?

THEN make the comparison.

Cheers,


Rick

 

What's the process for bleeding the fluid? I feel like it might need to get changed cause the power steering pump (which provides pressure for the brakes, right) has been making an awful moaning sound when I turn hard and I remember reading somewhere that was often due to dirty fluid...

I don't need new rotors... Just pads. And last time I looked at them they actually had a lot of life left on them, so perhaps it is just a fluid issue... The pedal goes down nearly to the floor also, so maybe there is air in the system? It's not low on fluid, I've checked that...

 

+1 Motorcraft pads. As for rotors (IMO) if your gonna do a lot of towing I would opt to replace my rotors rather than cutting. Only because it will make them thinner and thus heat up faster. But that's just my opinion.
You are suppose to service your brake fluid. After all it is an oil and with any oil it does break down with heat. I don't remember what the recommended interval was but if your fluid is brown and nasty looking I would flush the system out. Same goes for the p/steering fluid. The p/s fluid actually actuates you brake master (hydro boost) as in power assist like say a vacuum brake booster would work.

 

I have the MV7300, best 100.00 I've spent for a tool! Takes 15-20 to completely flush the brakes. I start with removing the fluid in the reservoir, refilling with new fluid, then starting with the furthest wheel from the reservoir and working your way to the drivers wheel.

BTW, having fresh fluid in there does make a huge difference in how the brakes feel...



Mityvac