New Brake Pad Review

[Guest]

Well, i have had the new style brake pads on for a week now, and i have done 500 miles of driving without a wash, and the rims still look fairly clean! In fact, there is very little dust buildup, and what is there looks more gray in color than black.

 

[jjgi5150]

Hi,

Glad to hear that the new pads are working better...Our new '04 XLT Sport had 68 miles on the clock..of very easy around town driving, and the front wheels were totally covered in the ugly black dust!

I guess FORD has decided not to upgrade newer units with the new pads....I have a bad feeling that I will have to be fighting with FORD about this....I am NO WAY going to keep washing the vehicle all the time just because of the front pads...and there is NO WAY we should have to pay for the new style brake pad upgrade....


JJ

 

[Guest]

yea i know what you mean. I made a big stink about having to pay at my dealership (where i used to work for 9 years, and i have bought 11 new vehicles from there), and they put them on for me without charge, but i still am pretty sure it wasnt warrantied, i think they paid for them.

But they are a lot better as far as the dust goes.

 

[Guest]

Kidtriton, your last statement is probally right. The dealership ate them because of your long standing relationship.

I'll just about guarantee you Ford will not replace under warranty. Its cosmetic. Sorry, but thats the way they're gonna see it. I agree that Ford should do something with this, but look at it from there perspective. The brakes work.

jjgi5150 go back to the dealer where you bought it and explain your dissatisfaction with the vehicle. IF you have a long time relationship, maybe you can get something done. If they won't straight out replace them, make a comprimise. Tell them you'll pay for the labor if they pay for the pads or vice versa. I did that with an interior panel that needed replaced on one I bought used out of warranty. I bought, they painted and installed it.


LOL!

 

[jjgi5150]

prcr...et al....

This is my first purchase at this dealer...but they do seem to be somewhat workable about other matters...They installed an aftermarket alarm system on to the factory security system, and a few days after they did so, they fired the company that did the install. All this happened a few days before I bought the vehicle...and therefore, I did not get a manual with the alarm system.

When I complained about that, they just issued me a due bill for a new alarm system with the current company they are using. That alarm supposedly has even more features...and they're going to cover all the costs...no bad attitude or anything...I'm impressed so far.

As to the brakes, I will drive it for another 50 or so miles, and then go in and complain about the brake dust...I'll show them the TSB and pressure them to do a changeover...I'll keep everyone posted..


BTW, did anyone else do a disconnect on the world's worst seat belt reminder buzzer? I had finally had as much as I could stand, and I unplugged the socket under the driver's seat. Bliss!!!... now no ugly noise when I want to move the vehicle around in the drive, etc...


Take care,

JJ

 

[Guest]

Sounds like you have a great dealership! LOL on the brakes.

BTW, disconnecting the seat belt wire, did the air bag lite come one. I tried that in my work f350 and the light stayed on.

GREAT LOOKING RIG.

 

[jjgi5150]

Uh Oh!!!

Good call prcr,

I hadn't checked that till you said something...I was so glad to not hear the awful buzzer, I did not notice the airbag light..It was on, so I have now re-plugged the seat belt plug sensor 'till I make a circuit closer for that loose end.

When the seatbelt snaps into place, it closes the loop for the two wires, showing the belt is connected. I'll just by-pass that with a closed loop of wire and that should take care of it.

My Dodge truck web site has really great technical section for just this kind of stuff. I'm going to do some research and see if I can locate some good Ford "tech tips" like this....


Thanks for the let on this one...

JJ

 

[Shaggy]

I havnt read much lately. But, what TSB reffers to the breaks? I need them replaced now.

 

[daveplot]

Originally posted by jt
I havnt read much lately. But, what TSB reffers to the breaks? I need them replaced now.

Article No. 04-1-1
BRAKES-BRAKE DUST-REVISED BRAKE
LININGS-VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 12/18/2003

ISSUE
Customer dissatisfaction with brake dust level on vehicles produced before 12/18/2003.

The brake linings on 2003-2004 Expedition/Navigator vehicles are designed to interact with the brake rotors in such a way as to keep the rotors smooth, minimizing rotor runout and thickness variation. The brake dust that is generated as a result of this interaction does not indicate a performance concern with the vehicle's brake system, and is considered a normal condition by Ford Motor Company.

Ford Motor Company recognizes, however, that some customers may object to brake dust for appearance reasons. Effective 12/18/03, the brake linings on Expedition/Navigator have been revised. The revised linings will generate less dust. The revised linings are also being made available for service, as Service Kit 41-1Z-2001-BA. This kit contains BOTH front and rear linings. A coordinated front and rear lining change is required in order to avoid making the vehicle noncompliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 135. Do not mix the parts in the 41-1 Z-2001-BA kit with any other brake linings.

Per the Warranty and Policy Manual, parts and labor needed to maintain the vehicle due to normal wear and tear are the responsibility of the vehicle owner, and are not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Because brake dust is due to normal wear and tear, replacing brake linings for a dust condition is not covered under bumper-to-bumper coverage.

 

[Guest]

jj,

look in the owners manual, there is a sequence of turning the key on/off and undoing the seatbelt that will get rid of the reminder. Its kind of hard to follow and get right, but it does work.

 

[Guest]

Quick question

Being a brand new Expedition owner, I am concerned about the brake dust, I read your review of the new pads...I bought mine around the middle of January of 2004...would mine come with the new pads automatically ? My neighbor and I bought new ones from the same dealership at about the same time, we complained about the brake dust, but they did not say anything about the new pads ? My neighbor has also contacted Ford directly and they said they are working on it. I am a little confused, I need to wash my wheels about twice a week, not every day, so does that mean I have the new pads ? Any insight would be appreciated...thanks in advance.

 

[daveplot]

Re: Quick question

Originally posted by heavyg
I bought mine around the middle of January of 2004

But when was it made? The door sticker should have a month/year.

 

[Guest]

brake dust

I'll check, wife is out in it right now

 

[Guest]

10/03 was when it was made, so I do not have the new pads ?
I wonder why Ted Britt Ford played dumb on this issue...Money of course. Any idea if dealers will replace the pads for free or do you have to make a big stink ?
I'll talk to my neighbor and call the dealer tomorrow

 

[daveplot]

You have the old pads. It's up to the dealer if they want to replace them for free.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Dave, I'll let ya know how it goes...
Have a good week
Greg

 

[jjgi5150]

Chime de-activation

Hi kid,

Hey, thanks for the info on the de-activation process for the chimes in the manual...I should have read it all by now, but have not had the time....I'll try it now and see how it does...

Thanks again,


JJ

 

[Keydo]

Rather than having the dealership replace the pads at a ridiculous price, has anyone simply priced out the new the pads and replaced the pads by themselves? Just curious what the brake pads by themselves are going for.

The old brake pads create A LOT of black dust on the running boards, almost to the point that no amount of scrubbing will bring the running boards back to their original condition.

Anyhow try to have their blackened running boards replaced? Kind of a bum that a Ford part is causing damage to another Ford part.

 

[daveplot]

Keydo...

I'm eventually going to speak with the Service Director (manager over service mgr., tech, and body shop)

I want the pads and running boards replaced due to the fact that the excessive dust has permanently stained the running boards.

This wasn't a problem with our 98 Expy that had tan running boards.

 

[Guest]

Dave,

Not sure where you are in Maryland, but I just got an 04 from Koons in Falls Church and after 1 phone call, they are replacing my pads out with the new ones at no charge to me. You might want to try a Koons dealer. There is one in Balto and One in Annapolis. They did not question me at all other than to say what day did i want to come in?

Good luck