OK...so, on Monday 12/22, I called my dealer, and asked if they could get the new pads.

They said, we won't get any in stock, but I can order them under your name and we'll make an appointment to put them on, on Monday 12/29.

Today, I go to the dealer, give them my Expy, and go wait in the lounge. 1.5 hours later, a service advisor walks in and tells me that the pads are not yet available, and one of his guys is on hold waiting for an answer from the "Ford Hotline." He sends me home, and says we will call you as soon as we find out what the story is...and he can't find any record of them ordering any new pads for me...

Are there really new pads yet? Or, am I getting a run around form the dealer?

 

My dealer says the pads arn't availble yet.

 

I understand your frustration, as we all do with this brake dust issue. I personally would not spend the money for pads for a vehicle we spent good money on, which is obviously a case of bad engineering and Ford has realized it. Hang in there and get what you/we deserve. Like Daveplot and I was told by our service managers, that part number you were given were not the reengineered pads. I'm in for the long haul on this one, it's a cosmetic thing and when it's done we'll get new pads. And we all know the front pads wear faster than the back so that's a good thing. Also Greased Lightning that someone suggested a few pages back works. Spray on and spray off with water, just don't let it go long. It's at Pep Boys for about $4.50. For everyone else stay on your service "MANAGER" so they don't try to pull the 12/12,000 warranty crap on your pads.

I'll let my service guys know about a possible bad window seal, because other than the rattle I also I think while driving at about 40+ mph there is abnormal wind noise from that window. I will test drive another 04 at freeway speeds and compare.

 

4x4, I have a rattle from my front passenger door area. The dealer ordered new weather stripping and a new latch. That may be your problem too. I had excess wind noise on very windy days with it.

 

Hi Gents,
The runaround some of you are getting is pretty bad news, alright. All I can say is that my dealer, Harrold Ford in Sacramento, was straight with me and told me I had to wait until the new pads came in. I gave them my number and I waited. Then they called me and said they were in, please come on in and we'll change them out.

I went in and they changed them out and rotated my tires and did some other stuff to make me happy (all at no charge) and sent me on my way.

I just got back from a 600 mile Christmas trip to our family cabin in the hills, towing our trailer. All loaded up I was right at 13,000 gross carry weight, which is plenty of weight, but still under the GCWR of the 2003 Expy (by they way, this rig tows great, and like many of you I am very picky about that).

Obviously, my brakes got quite a workout. Is there brake dust? Yes. But it looks to me like it is less than what I was experiencing before. The front brakes definitely have more dust on them than the rear brakes, but as I look out my window at my still hitched-up rig, unless you studied the wheels, you wouldn't immediately say the front wheels stand out from the rear. They are a different shade, for sure. But that would be the case for any vehicle under similar conditions.

I read someone say that the "new" pads aren't really the new pads. All I can say is that the dust "seems" to be less to me, and I will say that my dealer certainly believes that these are the new pads. Like I say, they called me when they came in, and they have been straight shooting and fair and square with me.

I'm guessing that those of you who are having bad experiences with your dealers probably have reason to be suspicious. I'm wondering if they'd tell you the truth if they knew it.

If anybody wants to call up Harrold Ford and talk to Tim in the service department, the number is (916) 922-1535. He thinks the pads are correct, and from what I can tell, right now, so do I.

If I'm wrong, I'm sure it will be posted in this forum, so I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Good luck to all of you.

 

Here is the response from my dealer.



I tried to have an advisor call you, he said he left a message. I wanted to e-mail you to make sure you didn’t miss the message. The part number you list in your e-mail is the part number for the pads currently on your vehicle. That particular part number was created in 2002. I pulled all the necessary information and checked with the parts department and with my ford data base and have found that updated parts are still not available.

Thank-you,

Subject: Brake Dust Issue on '03 Expedition


Hi,

I have been informed that the low dust brake pads are available now for the 2003 Expedition that has the offensive brake dust collection on the wheels. The part number that I have been given is 1 2 L1Z*2001*BA KIT-BRK SHU & LNG FRT. I have scheduled an appointment for replacement on Jan 2, 2004 via the on-line appointment system. Please contact me to confirm the pads are in stock and the appointment day work out.



Thank you,

 

Daveplot

I'll mention that also when I go back in. As for the latch, is that because when you attempt to close the passnger door sometimes it doesn't close all the way like it should. Even when I give the same force I do with my driver door.

 

I think they are replacing the latch because it's not shutting all the way. I notice it when I go to open the door it doesn't sound like it was closed all the way, compared to the other doors.

 

So they just offered to replace that without you mentioning it? Sounds like a silent recall. Another problem I have to bring forth to my dealer.

To All,

I have been bringing my vehicle back to the dealer I brought it from for these issues. I'm thinking if I'm not getting the best work done, I should bring it somewhere else. Because there are multiple dealers within 15-20 miles from me. Should I change, or keep with the same dealer. since my previous work was done there? Or does it matter

 

Hey 007sbc,

I just wanted to confirm that I got the same treatment from my dealer.

I got no run around either, they have always been nice to me.

They tried to verify that the new (corrective) pads were available and they had no information on the new pads.

I gave them the part number that they used on 007SBC's vehicle and they confirmed that that pad is available.

Now the question is" are these the new corrective pads"...it appears not to be. Did the dealer install new pads? Yes I think they did but they replaced the pads with the original pads and not the corrected pads to address the excessive brake dust. I received a price quote on new aftermarket pads and they are $65.

I have driven my vehicle approx 150 miles and the rims are black once again. The brake dust doesn't seem as excessive as before but still unacceptable. At least the brake dust is not spraying onto the body and the runners. Front Rims are definitely black and rears are clean.

I have left a message for the my dealer to advise him that the pads put on have less brake dust but still unacceptable. I gave him the part number, so he may not be too happy about that, but I also feel that he should have been able to tell that they were the original pad replacement. I also wanted to address with him any possible warranty issues if I go with aftermarket pads.

Again, I can have the aftermarket pads installed for under $100 and get rid of this headache!

I will keep everyone advised on what the dealer tells me..

 

Spoke to dealer and he wasn't too happy when I told him that the part number I gave him was for the original pads.

I asked him to when the new pads are scheduled to arrive and now for the first time I beginning to sense frustration from the dealer. I asked him about the warranty void and he said that replacing brakes is not considered a modification to the original specs.."just like changing tires" he said...he actually suggested to go aftermarket as he doesn't know how "redesigned" the new pads will be...or he is trying to get rid of me..

I called my personal mechanic and asked him what aftermarket pads are available.

He does not recommend bendix as they squeak too much. He has had very good luck with Raybestos pads. He put them on my truck F150 last year and they are virtually dust free and perform very well..

He also suggested that I go with drilled rotors as he has found the ventilation on ford brakes is a poor engineer. He has changed out a few ford with drilled rotors and found the brakes to improve dramatically...to much money right now...about $250 per wheel...

Anyway...he is calling his brake vendor and his ford dealer mechanic contact to get the best replacement and check availability...

30-45 mimutes installation and I will get rid of this mess!

 

alphascrew

So the real dealer finally presents himself. I'm not sure how Ford warranty service works and all that. But I think they would rather have their technician work on a non-warranty problem than warranty. That's why I think they (dealers) give us so much hassle. My dealer it's $80.00 bucks for just the diagnostic and $85.00 per hour for labor. So when we bring in our warranty problems they want to be rid of us like the plague. Does anyone know how it works out money wise for a dealer?

Hang in there it's cosmetic, (at least I think it is for now) we have to get what we deserve!! I will be calling my Servce Manager every 2 weeks so he doesn't forget me, and as soon as a new part # is listed (most likely in this forum) he is getting a call from me. Parts like brakes I feel should not have to be changed out within a short amount of time (out of pocket), they suppossedly engineered them to perform the functions they advertise them to do (winthin specs) I myself hate leaving my vehicle for half the day when I know most of time it's just sitting until someone gets to it.

Alpha it's definitely your right if you want to go that route and change them yourself. If you do I'm sure it will work out. Even if one has the money to perform this, we the consumers should not get screwed by the people (dealer, Ford) we paid good money to for a product. That's all I'm getting at.

 

I checked with a colleague in the industry (He is responsible for R&D of brake pads for a large auto supplier.) He said the contract for the new replacement pads had not been signed yet. So that the new new pads are not released. Two companies are basically competing for this work. Ford has not decided between the two yet. I do not know why your pads produce less apparent dust unless there has been some change in the formulation of the pad or it is a strong placebo effect. No insult intended but we have all been guilty of admiring our own work with mods and not being completely objective about it. How many HP did those decals add again?

 

Latest update...


I spoke to my mechanic and he has found a set of pads for my vehicle. He is recommending Power Stop brake pads. Great performance with low dust. I gave him the go ahead to replace them...

He has placed the order and pads will arrive Jan 5. I have decided to have him install it so the pads get seated correctly..that's all I need to get rid of the brake dust and end up with squeel. Pads are around $45 and installation should be around $50.

From the last post, a resolution doesn't seem to be near for those "new" pads from Ford.

Also just got a call from the dealer to install the new window run for the door noise. We'll see if they can get the window right. I will talk to him about the pads as well in person to see what he has to add.

How frustrating!!

 

I've seen posts in the past in reference to Morse ceramic pads for the 03/04 Expy. Has anyone here tried them?

Any dust issues?

What about rotor warpage/damage?

Where were they purchased?

I'm not confident that Ford is going to fix this issue anytime soon. Furthermore, there is no word from Raybestos yet on a ceramic option (Quiet Stop) for the 03/04 Expy.