I took my 350 into the shop on Friday to get the brakes done. It turned out both front rotors were cracked and both rear drums were broken. Makes me wonder how on earth I was able to stop that thing. Along with one of the axle seals. The whole job ended up costing me over 800 bucks. Is this a reasonable price for this kind of job? I know its alot of work, and stopping is kind of important. Man, I sure would have liked to spend that money differenly on my truck...

 

Man, this sounds like a "snow job" to me! Did the shop show you these items while they were still on your truck? I find it hard to believe that ALL 4 wheels had something wrong. I did all 4 of my brakes on my 02 in about 1 hour after I got my parts. Changing brakes on a 02 is about as easy as falling off a log backwards. Grant it, all 4 are disc brakes...which is pretty simple.

 

Yes, I did see all the brakes broken.

 

Sounds like a bargain on labor. The rotors list for $185 each and the drums right at $100. Thats $570 before the pads, shoes, axle seal and labor. Not a bad sounding deal from here.

 

I agree with cookie. It's a lot of money, but for the work being done including parts it's a bargain.

 

anyone have a brand of brake pad they'd recommend? how about ceramics? ive got to do it on my early '99 and want something that wont fail me.

jeff

 

i have just recently changed the front brakes on my 96 f 350. i bought the pads from advanced auto. the pads were the wearever silver. this is adv auto brand of brakes. the prior brake pads that were on the truck after they got hot my truck would sound like a school bus coming to a stop. now after i changed them i have not heard that noise at all.

 

is more expensive always better? ceramics?

 

Another brake source,
FYI:
http://www.powerstopbrakes.com/

 

heatstroked--

where in aaz you located at? im here too. is there anything local?

jeff

 

My major cross streets are 67th Ave. Deer Valley Rd, Glendale, AZ.

Haven't had to replace my pads or rotors yet. Just accumulating the information when I do.

If you have oversized aftermarket wheels and tires on your PSD and you go to Ford for warranty work for wheel bearing or brake issues, they will not perform any repairs under warranty. Plus, if you put your own new rotors and pads on while under warranty and they were not OEM Ford parts, same thing , no coverage.

 

I have ceramic pads and they SUCK!! I def. sound like a school bus when I come to a stop. Never again will I put ceramic pads in my truck. In fact, I am searching for new pads as we speak. FYI...I have 37.5" tires and a 12" lift.

 

Majorpecs, you need bigger tires.

 

I have a '97 F350 with 85k on it and have yet to change the brakes. The front pads look great but I could not get the rear drums off for a look during my last tire rotation. I assume that the front pads will wear out first but I would feel better to get a peek at the rears. I did remove the retainer rings on the studs. Does anyone have any helpful tips on getting the rear drums off??? I'm thinking a torch around the studs...

Jeff

 

take a sledge hammer and wrap it, be careful not hit any studs!