It's Time. Bought my E-250 with 161,000 now have 207,300 and front right brake started hanging up. I searched here a year or 2 ago and found the 2008 and up brake upgrade to the fronts. I would like to just double check that the following parts are all that is needed and what difference is noted in performance, and is the added cost worth the upgrade.


I know the front pads are the same as my old 95 E 350 but that had HEFTY rear Drum Brakes. The Rears on my 06 ARE 1 Year old


I am buying the following new either way:
Fremax Hub and rotor assembly (High Carbon Brazil Closest to OE)
Napa Fleet Pads, or equiv debating MOTORCRAFT Severe Duty
New Wheel dust seal (2)
Inner and outer bearings
Loaded Reman Caliper with brackets BOTH SIDES
Brake hoses, BOTH sides


IF I DO upgrade I am led to believe need the caliper bracket to spindle Bolts (4)

 

All that work and retrofitting just for a small braking performance improvement doesn't make sense.

I have 2007 E350 with Powerstop pads and rotors on all four corners and it's literally HIGH PERFORMANCE.

Me and the other guys guys here have argued about the validity of slots and dimples but everyone here agrees that the friction compound is THE difference maker.

I am not affiliated with Powerstop except as a satisfied customer. I installed my first set in Sept 2014 and I'm currently about to install my 2nd set 100,000 hard miles later.

I dont know exact pricing but I believe it's comparable to the project you are considering. I do know that el cheapo China brake parts will total about $180 for 8pads and 4rotors. Most people on this forum go with better brands for an approximate total of $300-$350. To the best of my memory it's about $450 for Powerstop from RockAuto including shipping.

Heres the deal - you WILL NOT regret the extra $100 after you have these on your van. I personally guarantee it. You won't even remember the $100.

Panic braking in a van with stock brakes is scary. Panic braking with Powerstop brakes is the exact opposite.

A panic braking with these changes EVERYTHING. Such as:
- you have to be more careful securing your cargo
- you will smile uncontrollably after panic braking: impressed at the sheer power and effectiveness of your deceleration.
- you will not crash; in situations where other brakes WOULD HAVE CRASHED.

****** All it takes is ONE near miss to "pay for itself" with these brakes. Take it from me- I've driven tens of thousands of miles with them.

 

FWIW I just put Wagner Power Stop pads all the way around on my company 2008 E250 and it's super stable in a panic stop, smooth, no groaning at low speeds, probably not as good as a performance style upgrade but I'm very comfortable with it after a couple hard stops from between 70 and 85 MPH with a ton and a half of load on board. It was only about $65 for all the pads from Rock Auto. Don't know what was there before, those were crap.

I know a couple people who are performance brake experts who say drilled/slotted rotors will actually cost performance due to the reduced friction surface, and with ceramic pads it's a complete waste of money since the only reason for drilled rotors is for gases to escape preventing fade, and ceramic pads aren't prone to fade.