Brake pad replacement - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

dcflick · 05-13-2003, 17:10

Being the wuss that I am, I am taking my baby to get new brake pads. I think I read somewhere that you should change all four sets at the same time. Is this true? and the mechanic reckons I should get some disc machining as well. It does have 90,000 on the odo so maybe it should. what do I know! any tips?

Oh yeh, Anyone know what type of globe goes in the high mount brake light? I have the high arch spoiler with brake light as well but I would like to check it out with the extra light.
Cheers.

blueoval · 05-13-2003, 17:50

Yes I would reccomend getting new pas all round and yes get your discs machined. It will promoted better stopping and help prevent warping. Also you will get more life out of not only your pads but your discs too. It is a common practice for all brake mechanics.

Enjoy

Kieron · 05-13-2003, 21:34

If your back brakes are fine, (both pads and disks) not worth changing them.

Can you feel vibration thru the brake, especially when lightly applying brakes? are the brake disks scored? if yes to either then a machining is in order.
If no, waste of time and in fact may reduce braking capacoty slightly due to thinner disk heating up quicker.
Any half decent mechanic will lightly sand the disk surfaces to remove glazing.

IAN SCHMIDT · 05-13-2003, 22:25

I AGREE WITH KIERON WITH FALCON DISC'S EVEN ONE MACHINE WILL REDUCE THERE LFE SPAN. ONLY NEED TO REPLACE ONE SET OF PADS IF THEY ARE WORN NOT BOTH. MAKE SIRE SLIDES ON CALIPARS ARE FREE.

blueoval · 05-14-2003, 00:38

Sure discs will be reduced in there life span over a large ammount of time, but what price would you pay for your life with just chucking in a set of pads with glased over rotors. I find that machining the rotors will give the brakes a greater bite when pulling up. If your on a tight budget you might want to risk it.

Machining a disc will only take as much as it needs to get the surface flat. Maybe 0.1 of a mill to .5 of a mill if its already flat. It may differ from how much the rotor is warped. I guess it just depends on what you want out of your braking system.

Myself? Well I would take all pre cautions especially when I've got family in the car.

Why would ABS or Brakepower or places that do brakes have machines to do rotors? A bit of scenery? The machine is there to do a purpose, and if I need to get my brakes machined, I will!

My point is, when a specialist tells you that you need to machine you discs, dont think that he's just there to get every dollar out of ya. Machining only cost about $15 a rotor. Not much for a little piece of mind!

But you will do what ever you want to in the end!

my 2c

ir33t · 05-14-2003, 01:50

oh, and dont get perfomax pads from bendix, i'm still awaiting my refund from them, they can only be described as "dangerous"

Rollin · 05-14-2003, 02:42

metal king plus have been good to me :)

Kieron · 05-14-2003, 03:11

The machines are there for machining warped or more commonly DTV, and it doesn't just cost $15 more/disk, you have to pay for RnR.
Like I said, light sanding of the disk will remove any glazing, no machining needed to remove glazing.
Been doing the sanding thing for years, and yes in family cars, my restored Mustang and I have recognised the need to machine OR in fact junk the disks entirely. Had a machined disk crack on me due the the machiner going undersize and not telling me!!

Also I used to pit crew for a Formula Ford, we used sandpaper to remove any glazing.

There is more info on dba.com.au

ebxr8240 · 05-14-2003, 04:40

The reason the machine is there also to make money!!
By putting new rotors in they don't make as much.imo
Also with D.B.A around fitting them is not that much more expensive..You may argue cost.. But as said safety first!!What price life??? Then fit new rotors !!!!
Especially on performance car or driven that way...

3Toed · 05-14-2003, 04:57

Quote:

Originally posted by ebxr8240
You may argue cost.. But as said safety first!!What price life??? Then fit new rotors !!!!
Especially on performance car or driven that way...

Amen to that. A couple of months ago a few of us went on a cruise through some twisties and at the end I almost ran up the date of the guy I was following. When we stopped for a chat we could all smell my pads cooking. I'm sure if it was daytime we would have seen the smoke as well.

At that point I decided new brakes were the go. I got DBA cross drilled and slotted for the front and slotted for the back, with Bendix Ultimates all round.

The rotors and pads cost me ~$640 and fitting them along with new front bearings and a brake fluid flush was another $450 or so. Just over $1,100 all up but worth every penny.

Like ebxr8240 said, what price life?