NEW wrinkle in the BA bad brakes saga??? - Page 3 - Ford Forums

fairmont1998 · 07-07-2004, 06:56

JR,
I've got a near new set of Performax pads at home in the shed. Came time for new pads for the XH and no one had Ultimates in stock so I put in some Performax. Crappiest feeling pedal I've ever had. Ordered some more Ultimates and changed them straight away. Now I have an EL and I am running Ultimates on that too, even though the standard E series brakes leave a lot to be desired the Ultimates do make a noticable difference, and I'm happy with 20 000kms between pad changes. I can live with a bit of dust if it means more braking confidance!

Aussie Pete · 07-07-2004, 16:38

My brake supplier has stopped stocking Performax due to all the complaints they have been getting. When I asked for a set he said he'd do me a favour..... not even try to get them in for me. I'll take brake dust and rotor wear with Ultimates anyday.

Cazz · 07-07-2004, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossyXR8

HA ha - well said supermono.

Cazz - that really sux. 22 times is a bloody joke. I'd be losing my sense of humour by now. I hope you've written to Ford Australia.

I have been totally dismissed by Ford Australia. I know this is of topic and I apologise, but Ford have instructed me (literally), that they can't help me anymore. They have treated me worse than the dealer has. ON the day I picked my car up, (I bought it brand new), the cd player didn't work, the Power windows wound down on their own, after I left and locked the car, there was no service sticker, no service manual, no roadside assistance information, the Sunroof wouldn't close the chrome strip fell of the rear bumper bar, and there was a rip in the back seat. This was all on the day I picked the car up!!Yes I have lost my sense of humour about this car. I haven't even been able to sell it for 60% of what it cost me. It's a sad thing, but I have been known to talk with my feet, and if I can let heaps of people know about my experiences in a place like this, perhaps I might get somewhere.

75Hardtop · 07-07-2004, 20:42

JR - the track day could have well and truly fried your caliper seals - you didn't mention that before. I believe the outer seal is only a dust seal and the inner seal is the fluid seal which explains why your brakes haven't let go on you. Hot pad dust could have bonded to the rubber and caused it to deteriorate. Never heard of it before but it maybe worth posting on a racing forum like procar to see if anyone has ever experienced it before.

Cazz - you are free to disagree, I have done extensive research into brakes so my comments have basis and weren't blown from a particular orifice. My XB got 130,000 from it's first set of rotors too, but the DBAs and metal kings stopped much better than the OEM ones ever could.

One other thing that is crucial with brakes is bedding in. Did anyone bed in the pads immediately after they picked up their new car or did you just drive it normally??? Pad and rotor surfaces need to be correctly burnished for a number of reasons, least of which are:
- match surfaces
- de-gas and draw out the bonding resins from the pad
- line the rotor with the pad composition so the pad can gain bite on the rotor

Did you realise that using a pad either under or above its rated recommended temperature range will result in either premature pad or rotor life. If you put new rotors on with old pads - you still have to properly bed the old pad to the new rotor. Same with new pads on old rotors but new rotors should first be bedded in with old pads and then with new pads if you are replacing both.

I am however sad to hear about these problems still. I have 3 weeks to go until my XR8 turns up and I hope the premium stoppers justify their worth.

Mr Greed · 07-07-2004, 23:33

And in production car racing many people simply remove the dust seals and leave them off due to their tendency to melt. I don't suspect you need to look past that track run JR.

TIKFD6 · 07-08-2004, 00:59

I agree with Pete on the Performax Pads, they are Crap, they are no better than a standard replacement pad.
I have used the Bendix Advance pads since the Performax, and they are a far better pad, but now i will stick with my Ultimates, or Greenstuff.

Jamie XR6 · 07-08-2004, 03:57

JR,

I have my spare front and rear calipers now that I've changed them. You are welcome to use them if you need them.

BossyXR8 · 07-08-2004, 04:08

75Hardtop - Very good point re: bedding in.

Mate you have done the right thing with the premiums, I wish I had em'.

Guy in a GT at wakefield with premiums (std for GT) drove flat out for 3 full 20 minute seesions and had no problems at all, which was really frustrating for me cause I reckon I could have given him a run for his money if my brakes had been operational. Theres nothing worse than getting to the end of the strainght with no brakes.

I don't think there's one XR8 owner I've heard who is sorry they bought an XR.

Enjoy dude !

75Hardtop · 07-08-2004, 17:52

Cheers BossyXR8 - two weeks and counting till she arrives. I have a contact who is a police driver trainer whom I spoke to before ordering the car. The only think he said was - "get the premium brakes"!! My old hardtop taught me a lot about brakes and now the race car has taught me even more. Being familiar with wakefield you will appreciate my other road car's performance. Through the kink flat, then braking at the 50m mark for turn 2, all day. Not to mention the 40m mark for the final corner onto the straight. Stock rotors, SRF fluid, braided lines, M/C brace and custom cut Ferodo DS2500 pads - awesome.

What does the XR8 do around wakefield? (sorry for the hijack:()