Ford dealer is gonna do the labor, in for "other" warranty work anyway, so they'll put on pads I supply and turn the rotors under warranty. Fine w/ me since I don't want to put OEM pads back on... I am now buying these pads to put on my 2005X and have a couple questions for those been there and done it...

1) Was planning on using the PFC carbon metallics described above, found at Autozone as previously posted. Just for kicks, when talking to the service guy at dealer, asked him if he has suggestions for aftermarket pads. He said other customers that he talks to and that have brought own pads in swear by the ceramics, but he's not familiar with PFC. Found some Bendix and Raybestos ceramic pads at Advance online, slightly more $ than the PFC but close in price. I'm looking for long life and better performance w/o eating the rotors, any advice or anyone use these?

2) I am at 22k miles, and the brake vibration is not terrible, but noticeable. This is the first truck I've had with 4-wheel discs, although had them in cars before. Should I press them to change out the rears as well at this time, or just leave the stock there for another year? I imagine the vibe's are all coming off the fronts, but is there a "reason" to change the rears at the same time?
Thanks!

 

My experience with PFC pads has been great. After 40k+ miles the rotors are in perfect condition and the pads are less than half worn.

I would recomend changing the rears too - rears do approx 25% of the braking so it will give improved braking, stay clean and reduce wear on the rotors.

 

Are you on the OEM rotors still, or PFC/other aftermarket?? Pretty impressive results it you have 40k on them and still smooth stopping... Thanks.

 

I rechecked my mileage and my 2003 Excursion has 48K miles. 45k miles with PFC Pads. The Exc stops smoothly and the rotors are in perfect condition.

Note that I torque wheel lugs to 160 ft.lbs. and I have all Russell Stainless Steel brake lines - front and rear.

 

Picked them up today at AutoZone, same p/n as online. Funny, the counter guy kept telling me how great their "semi-metallic" store brands were due to the "lifetime warranty" at about half the cost. I explained that lifetime of free($25) pads is not worth the hassle of re-surface rotors every 12 mos (20k mi/yr for me average). Cound not believe he was talking me down from the higher price unless they get perk$ to push the store brand...

I'll drop them at the dealer tomorrow, if they only do the fronts I'll do the rears this fall one day... Thanks for the endorsement, now I want to try them (gently of course).

 

all the posts centered on the pads and rotors , my problem was the calipers guide pins were seized and only the back [piston] pad was stopping the truck the front pad was like new the rear pad was shot , after rebuilding all 4 calipers with new guide pins the brakes work 10 time better . also ford changed rotor thickness from 10 mm to 13 to fight the warped rotors that some have . and tighten those lugs good that was half my brake wobble