Brake pad advice please?

zebrastripesrule

They said to check again in 5000 miles, but as winter is coming, I would rather get them done sooner rather than later... The 5000 mark will prob hit in mid december - as i do about 1000 each month. Most of my miles are done on the M1 so need them to be good as that often requires heavy breaking..x

Thanks for the instructions - but I would rather a professional do it - other things I will have a play with but not my breaks!

If they were 70% worn 3000 miles ago, how much % before they really need to be done??
thanks

ROY47

For £80 I'd let the main dealer do it if your that worried

not worth getting hands dirty for that price AND it's main dealer

daveyjp

You can go to a main dealer, but not pay their prices - go to the local Rapidfit - Ford's equivalent of Kwikfit.

They use Ford Technicians and all the parts are from the central stores shared by the main dealer mechanics working in the workshops round the back of the showroom.

bigjl

Standard trade tactic, never say they need done now, just that they need done soon, as then you are not lying, just being over cautious.

I personally prefer EBC, and when the front brakes in my Mondeo need done I will replace them with uprated pads and discs, but after 40k they still have lots of life left.

I personally didn't know that Bosch did brake pads?

Don't forget that 1000 miles a month on a motorway means your front pads could easily last 80k. And yes I know this from personal experience, I once got over 100k out of a set of front discs and pads, on an Omega Auto TD, in fact I don't know how long they lasted, as they where still on there when I sold the car.

If you did those same 1000 miles round town or on fast B roads your front pads could be finished in less than 10k.

Pads are a friction material, if you don't use them much they will last a lot longer.

In fact after checking the service history of my Mondeo I think the front discs and pads have been on there since 40k. And where last done by a Ford main dealer.

The only time a worn pad will affect braking efficiency in any way is when repeated heavy stops causes too much heat to be transferred to the brake fluid causing brake fade. When I drove for a living in my own car I always changed the pads when they got down to around 1-2mm.

And if there wasn't a big wear lip on the disc then I would only fit new pads.

What sort of area to you live in as a forum member may know a half decent mechanic near you, you don't have to be too specific, just town or area of your city.
In other words, Romford, or East London.

Though I wouldn't be surprised if your car is still on the original discs but maybe the second set of pads.

I wouldn't worry about genuine ford parts as EBC in upgraded form are the same price as standard ford parts.

paddedjohn

These days generic pads are as good as ford ones, £14 ish for a set and about 1/2 an hours work. Even if youve never done them before no more than an hour. Allow maybe another 1/2 hour if fitting discs aswell (recommended) and probably only about £40 a pair inc pads

gardner1

ref STIGY-I'm sure even Kwik Fit Can't mess a pad change up


want to bet on that
before you know it they will have quoted you for 4 tyres new exhaust new discs and full service while the 16 year old yts on min wage fits some cheap nasty pads on your pride and joy

goldspanners

bigjl wrote: »

The only time a worn pad will affect braking efficiency in any way is when repeated heavy stops causes too much heat to be transferred to the brake fluid causing brake fade. When I drove for a living in my own car I always changed the pads when they got down to around 1-2mm.

brake fade isn't caused by overheating or boiling brake fluid.

its happens during heavy braking for prolonged periods of time,the fade appears when gas builds up between the brake pad and disc causing a loss of contact between pad and disc,this is why high performance brake discs are drilled and/or grooved,the gas can sit in the grooves or escape via the drilled holes.

what your describing is brake fluid absorbing moisture from the air,then when the water in the fluid heats up under hard braking it boils off leaving the driver with no resistance in the pedal meaning the pedal travels much further than usual.
brake fade will still give the impression of a good solid pedal but the brakes just won't work.

i had a merc vito that sufferd brake fade constantly,even with new pads and discs every year. its scary when it happens.

missile

I was advised

by whom?

Anyone could do that job, but take care who you entrust to work on your car.

Many years ago I had brake pads on my Cosworth changed by the main Ford dealer. A week later all the fluid had leaked and I found I had no brakes! It seems they did not tighten the bleed nipple or brake hose. The f......s denied liability.

Stigy

missile wrote: »

by whom?

Anyone could do that job, but take care who you entrust to work on your car.

Many years ago I had brake pads on my Cosworth changed by the main Ford dealer. A week later all the fluid had leaked and I found I had no brakes! It seems they did not tighten the bleed nipple or brake hose. The f......s denied liability.

Surey you would have had a spongey brake pedal though?

atrixblue.-MFR-.

ferrodo premier series pads are good value for money! and independant garage shouldnt charge too much to do. avoid kwit-!!!!!! ATS euromaster, and nationwide auto centres.