Best place for Brakes? (Rotors and pads)

[drsmith]

Hi Guys,

firstly i would like to say hi, im a noob and somewhat different from your regular member as im from England!?! haha...

Well i now live in the USA and have just bought my spanking gorgeous 2004 Expedition (Eddie Bauer 2WD) with only 40k on the clock and cherished from new?! i love it....

I think i have an issue with front warped rotors (brake discs in the UK) there is a droning noise which is intermittent but is relative to the speed of the vehicle. At first i was thinking a wheel bearing but the noise is constant irrespective of which direction it turns and thus suggesting the weight distribution has no effect. there is a slight pulsation and miniscule judder under breaking, so i am thinking the rotors are warped as he had used it to tow his boat.

having spent some time researching the forum it appears that people champion the Brembo OE replacement rotors and the new LTS Hawk pads. I have looked on tire rack and it appears the rotors for my 2WD model are $64 a piece and the Hawk LTS pads are $84 so with shipping it comes to around $242 for the full frontal set up.

Having tuned BMW's and other european cars, i am familiar with mechanics and routine maintenance, however i have read some horror stories on changing discs!? would i be ok doing it myself in an afternoon?

any suggestions on special offers? websites that could beat tirerack?

all info appreciated! keep up the good work!

 

[braduardo]

It is pretty easy... UNLESS your rotor is seized on like mine was... Then you better clear your schedule. If it's a 2004, that shouldn't be an issue though. Mine is a 98.

 

[ELVATO]

There is a sponsor on F150online, who says they are a Brembo dealer, and will better Tirerack's price.

I guess just take down the part number of the part from Tirerack and the price, and send him an email: [email protected].

Ask him also about the Hawk pads, maybe he might be able to match those too?

BTW, $64 for the rotors sounds real good. I thought they were going for 90 each.

 

[drsmith]

ahhh there must've been a problem with the tirerack website last night as it was throwing them up as $64, but today when i go back to my 'saved vehicle' its suggesting they are $80 a piece now.... gutted!

part number is 27241 (04 Eddie bauer, 2WD, TPMS)

Hawk LTS pads are $97 per axle set, part number is:

HB462Y.827

So to recap, its a case of removing the caliper and its carrier, removing pads and all associated clips (remembering how they attach!) then removing the disc and replacing, pushing in the calipers pistons with the brake resevoir cap removed then a reverse of the above? doesnt sound too intense lol.... those famous last words haha... oh and dont forget anti sieze copper grease etc...

how much would a garage charge to do the fronts, discs and pads?

thanks for the replies!

 

[davesexplorer]

I got mine off ebay. Good quality IMO and a good price.