Brake pad, disc and rubber seal quote cost from Ford dealership, need advise

wyk126

Hi 

I need some advise see if the cost is reasonable or not, so my car Ford Focus (2016) did a Ford VisualHealth Check and the the report says that the Front disc us currently at 22.8mm, and they said that the minimum should be 23mm so it needs to be replaced, is that true? Is there a legal limits?  If not what's the recommended limits?

Also the brake pads is about 4mm left, does that need to be replaced as well? What's the legal limits? And they charge about £260

In terms of the door rubber seal I could see it's a common issue,  and they also charged £260 to repair it, is it reasonable?

Thanks

jimjames

I'm not sure I've ever seen a limit quoted for brake discs but others may know. For a 5 year old car what sort of mileage has been done on those brake discs?

JJ_Egan

At that age you do not need Ford . Try one of the non Ford car service repair .

I have used F1Auto  for last brake and discs all round circa £600 .

Door seal can you not fit one yourself ??

wyk126

Thanks for the reply, the milage is around 46k currently, 
Any advise on brake disc limits?  I'm not sure either if the limits quoted for the brake disc as I couldn't find anything on google, is that true that need to be replaced? its just under 0.2mm below their recommended limits, I don't even know if there's a legal limits.

k3lvc

wyk126 said:

Thanks for the reply, the milage is around 46k currently, 
Any advise on brake disc limits?  I'm not sure either if the limits quoted for the brake disc as I couldn't find anything on google, is that true that need to be replaced? its just under 0.2mm below their recommended limits, I don't even know if there's a legal limits.

The 'legal limit' kicks in at the point at which you stamp on the brakes and they don't work. Low disc thickness and low pad thickness isn't a good combination but Ford main dealer probably isn't the place to have them replaced. Chances are if you don't have it done now you will be at next MOT

Ebe_Scrooge

You can look on EuroCarParts to get a reasonable idea of what the parts would cost.  For front discs and pads for a Focus (depending on the exact model), you're looking at very roughly about £100 or thereabouts all in.  Maybe an hour's labour to fit (it's not a difficult job, I've always done mine myself, a doddle for a proper mechanic).

There's not a legal limit as such to thickness - what counts (and what is measured at MOT) is the braking efficiency.  The manufacturer may well have a recommended minimum thickness - though I think they're splitting hairs (quite literally!) over 0.2 mm, as long as the discs are otherwise in decent nick.  If the discs are heavily pitted or scored, it makes sense to change them, and you should always change pads if you change discs.  But for most cars it's a very straightforward job, and not particularly expensive.

As JJ says, I'd be tempted to find a decent local independent mechanic.  And I also agree with the door seal - not at all difficult to DIY, and you may even be able to find a decent second-hand one.  That's even if it is actually causing issues - it's not just a case of needing a thorough clean, is it?

grandadgolfer

If your only doing a few thousand miles a year they don't need doing anytime soon as long as the discs are nice and smooth with no pitting 

molerat

There are no legal limits on disc thickness but the Ford recommended thickness is 23mm The MOT standard is "significantly and obviously worn", below manufacturer recommended thickness is not a fail.  Brake pads must have 1.5mm and not worn down to the indicator to pass an MOT.  So yes the discs need changing and the pads are getting close but an indy garage will do it way cheaper than a dealership.  The door rubber, if not completely shredded, can often be repaired with a tube of silicone and a bit of tissue.

BOWFER

There's no set limit for all cars, the manufacturer sets the wear limit themselves.
And if you're changing discs, you absolutely should replace pads at the same time.
Replacing pads without replacing discs - yes
Replacing discs without replacing pads - no
£260 seems on par with the norm, I was quoted £244 incl VAT for Polo front discs and pads the other day.
I bought the parts for £55 and I will do them myself.

Username03725

A Focus of that age is pretty much the same as my Volvo V40 (floorpan, some mechanicals); I had front discs & pads replaced recently for about £150 as part of a major service at a local independent. I'd already priced up discs and pads at the local Motor Factors ("and what would your best price be?") but the difference wasn't enough to make me want to do it myself.

You're paying about £100 on top to have it done at a main dealer.

oh_really

A new disc thickness is 25mm, min 23mm.