Expensive brake replacement?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
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Expensive brake replacement?
Anyone heard that once the brakes wear down 50 percent that the only way to replace them is to spend nearly $700 to get a whole new rotor and pad assembly? Something about the brakes being one unit and once the pads are worn a certain amount replacing just them will ruin the wear produced by the rotors?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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I don't think that ford would design a brake system that bad. But then again I'm one of the lucky ones with a staked u-joint drive shaft. Unless I succeed in getting ford to warranty the driveshaft for vibrations and have it replaced with a conventional ds, I will need to have the whole ds replaced when the first u-joint goes. I have read on the blue oval forums from plant workers that the whole staked u-joint idea was a dismal failure. The whole thing was done that way to save ford money. But instead it actually cost more in the real world to stake the u-joints, and the drive shafts produced that way were not as strong, and have vibrational issues that the conventional snap ring ds's don't have.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,191
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From: USA
Well GM did it... my friend has a 2002 Chevy 3500 4x4 Dualie and has already replaced his front Discs. The brake pads barely worn down but chewed his discs to nothing... he has to replace the rears as well.. Turns out GM uses hardened brake pads. He was Pissed... $35,000 for a new truck and 40,000 miles he has to replace the Discs... not an easy job on the Rear end for that rig
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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Well lets see I have 36K miles and just replaced the rear pads myself with updated ceramic pads. There is nothing unusual about the Ford truck setup over any other vehicle. The pads and the calipers are seperate components or you can by the calipers as loaded units (with pads). But why if the caliper is fine just get the pads replaced. I would not even turn the rotors if they are okay. I paid $55 for ceramic rear pads and getting ready to do the fronts of which cost me $65 for ceramics!
Someone is telling your buddy a bunch of nonsense!
Someone is telling your buddy a bunch of nonsense!
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 479
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From: Bartlett, TN
Originally Posted by ford9c
I don't think that ford would design a brake system that bad.
Rotors are disposable, Cant be turned.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 185
From: Dedham, MA
KevinM,
I agree with you. First off, why replace the caliper unless it's absolutely necessary? Second, how lazy would you have to be to buy pre-loaded brake pads? Lastly, you shouldn't be turning rotors or replacing them if the originals are just fine. I'm not a fan of turning rotors, they never seem to last as long as new discs (i know, they're weaker after shaving). So if you get no vibration or grinding and there are no grooves in the rotors, just do the pads. The key is to get new pads on before any damage can be done, aside from warped rotors (which we have no control over).
Kevin, how was the job on the rears and did you look at the front? and did you notice a nice improvement with the ceramic pads?
I agree with you. First off, why replace the caliper unless it's absolutely necessary? Second, how lazy would you have to be to buy pre-loaded brake pads? Lastly, you shouldn't be turning rotors or replacing them if the originals are just fine. I'm not a fan of turning rotors, they never seem to last as long as new discs (i know, they're weaker after shaving). So if you get no vibration or grinding and there are no grooves in the rotors, just do the pads. The key is to get new pads on before any damage can be done, aside from warped rotors (which we have no control over).
Kevin, how was the job on the rears and did you look at the front? and did you notice a nice improvement with the ceramic pads?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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The rears go on real easy, the pads basically have clips that hold them in place. All you have to do is make sure the caliper piston is back al the way, flushthe caliper out real well with brake cleaner, after that snap the pads in place lube the pins, I also lube the slides lightly and put the caliper pins back, your done! The fronts are going on in the next couple of days, the fronts were not down as far as the rears, I think this may be due to the larger size.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Springville, AL
Originally Posted by donbarnes
my '04 150 has 41,000 miles and the dealer tells me that the front rotors can't be turned and have to be replaced at 280 each. Cheap material.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,413
Likes: 11
The brakes are no different than any other to change. the rotors can be turned. I just had mine done by Ford. it cost me $300 to have all 4 rotors and all pads replaced. i haul heavy loads and i have worn mine out. i will be switching to cermic soon.