Brakes, disk vs drum
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Duluth, MN
4 Wheel discs are a gimmick. In reality, the rear brakes only do 20% of the stopping. You use 80% of your stopping power in the front. Rear drums will last longer (around 100,000 miles) before needing replacement. Leave your drums back there.....
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New User
Joined: Sep 2007
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yes they do last longer but they aint as good. But you are more than wright, no need to change if its ok.
But the older models did have disk brakes at the rear to, og what. If they did, why did Ford change to drums. The price must bee almost the same.
But the older models did have disk brakes at the rear to, og what. If they did, why did Ford change to drums. The price must bee almost the same.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Originally Posted by Wilber15
4 Wheel discs are a gimmick. In reality, the rear brakes only do 20% of the stopping. You use 80% of your stopping power in the front. Rear drums will last longer (around 100,000 miles) before needing replacement. Leave your drums back there.....
That said, I don't know if I would mess with them if your Escape has the rear drums.
I believe they put rear disc brakes on the earlier Limiteds but I could be wrong.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,947
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From: in the woods of MA
Agreed that most braking is done on the fronts (anyone who rides a bike knows this!), but it is an interesting question why they continue to put drums on the rear. Does anyone know? They really don't work as well and it doesn't seem like drum brakes would be any cheaper, there are so many more parts. Not to mention they're a PIA to work on - I can do a brake job on five discs in the time it takes to one drum. Maybe parking brakes issues? I dunno...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: in the woods of MA
Originally Posted by rebocardo
Disc brakes are MUCH more expensive to make then drum brakes.
As an example, try buying a new caliper and a new drum brake cyl. and see which one costs more.
As an example, try buying a new caliper and a new drum brake cyl. and see which one costs more.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 201
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From: Houston Texas
Don't Hurry
I wouldn't change them out now, unless you plan to keep the car 10 years or more. Even then I would think it hard to justify.
There is also the "leg-bone - foot-bone" syndrome: you add rear disc brakes then you may have to add a different master cylinder or power brake boost (or who knows what else). Our 96 Camry had rear-drum (4 cyl & 14" wheels) - if you added 4 wheel disc in the showroom you had to go up to V6 & 15" wheels.
Don't get me wrong, I think 4-wheel disc brake better than rear-drum for any vehicle. Just don't bite off more than you can chew - go rent a movie or take your significant other to dinner at a nice place.
There is also the "leg-bone - foot-bone" syndrome: you add rear disc brakes then you may have to add a different master cylinder or power brake boost (or who knows what else). Our 96 Camry had rear-drum (4 cyl & 14" wheels) - if you added 4 wheel disc in the showroom you had to go up to V6 & 15" wheels.
Don't get me wrong, I think 4-wheel disc brake better than rear-drum for any vehicle. Just don't bite off more than you can chew - go rent a movie or take your significant other to dinner at a nice place.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Lower 48
Aside from the debate, I notice the original question was not answered.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
I recently did the rear brakes on my 2005. About 75k miles. The pads were fine but the rotors were worn. What a difference with good brakes all around again.
Ironically, the rear disks on the Escape are also a drum brake for the parking brake. Pretty slick setup.
Ironically, the rear disks on the Escape are also a drum brake for the parking brake. Pretty slick setup.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Warren, MI
That's what has been used on the Corvette(maybe others) for at least 34 years, I own a '78.
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From: suburban atlanta
trail_rider, the answer of course is yes, you can do it. But the question that glows more brightly in the sunlight is Should You Do It?
You can get everything you need by buying parts over the counter. From the master cylinder, ABS unit, possibly proportioning valve, spindles/hubs swapped, calipers, pads, rotors, emergency/parking brake cable, it can be done.
But why? Brake performance will likely show insignificant difference. Disk brakes may look good when shined and painted, but they don't function any better than drum. They are used where there is need for more heat dissipation, or where water may get on the brakes. Drums are slower to dissipate heat, and if wet, take a while to become effective again. The load on the rear drums would be very unlikely to get heavy enough to cause fade. The only advantage is wet brakes, as when you go through a deep puddle.
tom
You can get everything you need by buying parts over the counter. From the master cylinder, ABS unit, possibly proportioning valve, spindles/hubs swapped, calipers, pads, rotors, emergency/parking brake cable, it can be done.
But why? Brake performance will likely show insignificant difference. Disk brakes may look good when shined and painted, but they don't function any better than drum. They are used where there is need for more heat dissipation, or where water may get on the brakes. Drums are slower to dissipate heat, and if wet, take a while to become effective again. The load on the rear drums would be very unlikely to get heavy enough to cause fade. The only advantage is wet brakes, as when you go through a deep puddle.
tom
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: in the woods of MA
Right, aside from being totally self-adjusting, the biggest advantage to disc brakes over drums is they don't fade as fast under heavy usage. You're probably not going to be racing your Escape, so I'd spend that money on something more useful. Like beer. 
Incidentally, we traded the '04 with almost 150K miles on it, it still had the original shoes on the rears. I bought new shoes expecting to change them at about 75K, no need. They're still sitting on my parts shelf if anyone is interested...
Incidentally, we traded the '04 with almost 150K miles on it, it still had the original shoes on the rears. I bought new shoes expecting to change them at about 75K, no need. They're still sitting on my parts shelf if anyone is interested...
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