FYI: Best brakes, exhaust, etc for the escape

[jaydcc69]

As an Escape owner (01 XLT, 04 Limited) I have tried many aftermarket parts for this with trial and error and with me owning a performance shop and chassis dyno here is a listing of the best parts you can add:

Brakes:

EBC Slotted/Dimpled rotors with Series 6000 4x4 Pads in the front.
63500 miles on the truck AND THEY STILL SHOW 3/4 left! (Installed at 900 miles)

Rear brakes: Original ford. 63500 miles to date and still 75% left!


Exhaust: Borla or Magnaflow cat back.

Spark Plugs: NGK (NON PLATINUM!!!!) (Take the damn intake off and label the vacuum lines. ITS EASY!)

Suspension H&R for lowering or BDS Suspension for 2" Lift

Quick and easy HP adder : www.nextlevelracing.com. The G Box TRI PHASE/Stage 3. It DOES ADD 10-15% HP.

Chips: DO NOT PUT A CHIP especially Superchips in the escape. I used the superchips and kept kicking into theft mode. Superchips is making a power programmer. Keep an eye on that.

Oil: Amsoil Series 2000 with SDF-11 Filter. (In 65000 miles I changed the oil THREE TIMES. Been using amsoil since 3500 miles. )

Supercharger: Kenne Bell of course.

Washer fluid: Prestone Bug Wash (Green). DO NOT USE RAIN-X WASHER FLUID (Orange) it leaves a film all over the escape.

Anything else, just drop me an email - Justdyfferent@mac.com

[Blackie60]

Does your front brakes still get brake dust like the orginal brakes do? My dislike the front brakes is the bad brake dust and make front wheels look all black and understanding that it is softer rotor and pads make it worse and also quieter but it doesn't matter to me.

[jaydcc69]

The EBC Series 6000 4x4 (Green) pads show almost NO dust. They are Kevlar compounded.

[bananaboat]

Several people recommend the EBCs just for that reason. Speaking of plugs, I read somewhere else today where someone said the plug change was easy and took about 1.5 hours. I've been imagining something similar to the Triton V8 COP system on my prior F150. I guess not all COP systems are the same.

[dozing4dollars]

With just 1500 miles or so on my new 04 Escape XLT, I replaced my factory front disc brake pads. While stopping distance on the new vehicle was never an issue, the UNUSUALLY HIGH amount of brake dust deposits on the wheels and tire sidewalls was just unacceptable.

I replaced the factory disc pads with Akebono ProACT premium ceramic pads, model 843. See :http://www.akebonobrakes.com/afterma...ads/index.html . They installed in about 10 minutes each or so-you will need a Torx bit to remove the two caliper bolts. They stop like crazy and emit very little brake dust so far. They are supposed to be very rotor friendly, which is a good thing given the thin and non-turnable factory rotors, as reported by other owners. I guess time will tell. I'll eventually replace the rotors with Brembo OEM aftermarkets from www.tirerack.com. I have used them on my 2000 EB Expedition with great success.

I understand the EBC Greenstuff pads are excellent as well although I read a review from Europe that suggested that they may leave deposits on the rotors and kind of gunk them up...no firsthand experience.

BTW, I bought my new Akebono ceramic pads at www.rockauto.com. They were shipped the same day that I ordered and delivered in just a couple of days. Great product and a great price-at the time, cheaper than www.tirerack.com . Tire Rack needs to update their website to reflect FORD 2004 Escape brake parts. Both are excellent companies for FORD SUV aftermarket parts.

Hope this helps...

[StaceyHurley]

I need to get new brake pads and rotors for my 01 and have always been disgusted by all the brake dust... I love clean hub caps and shiney tires! Where would I buy these at and what should I look for cost wise... thanks!

[dozing4dollars]

Stacey,

After about 2000 miles or so on my new Akebono ceramic pads, I Love Them!

They stop the Escape very well, emit almost NO brake dust and are quiet!

If you need new disc pads, I would highly recommend them. You can purchase them from www.tirerack.com for about $74.00 or so per axle set. In addition, www.tirerack.com also has other disc pads for the Escape that range in price from $42/set for the OEM's to $59/set for the EBC 6000 series pads.

If you need new rotors, I would recommend the BREMBO plain rotors also sold by www.tirerack.com I put them on my 2000 Expy and I am very happy with them as well. You can get them for your Escape for about $ 64.00 each. When my Escape needs new rotors, that is what I will put on it.

The changeover to the new ceramic pads has made a world of difference for me in terms of cleaning and keeping my front wheels and tires spotless.

Best of luck! Let us know how it all works out for you...

[jaydcc69]

Ok, the best so far and longest lasting are EBC Brakes.

www.tirerack.com has a great deal.

You want the EBC 6000 Series SUV/4x4 truck pads fro the front. $59.99
and the front pair of EBS Slotted/dimpled rotors (Unsure of the price at the moment).

Make sure you use SILICONE LUBRICANT ON ALL MOVING PARTS EXCEPT FRICTION SURFACES and CLEAN THE CALIPERS AND COMPONENTS THOROUGHLY WITH BRAKLEEN
---Jay

[StaceyHurley]

Thanks - I'll go to that web site in just a few... The amount of break dust has been overwhelming so I'm looking forward to the new pads keeping it down!

[jaydcc69]

I had those ceramic pads and brembo plain rotors. Guess what, THEY DO NOT STOP WELL! I got complaints from others also. You may be happy with them, youre lucky tho. EBC is the best way to go.

[ove1]

Raybestos PG pads cut the dust way down for me with no noticeable change in braking performance. Others have had good luck with Raybestos QS pads. I still have my orginal rotors, so have no opinions on that subject. BTW, I got my pads at www.rockauto.com.

[jaydcc69]

Raybestos are still no no's. EBC 6000 series pads. Kevlar. NO DUST.