Dealer Response to Frozen Brake Pads

[AskGoogleCallMike]

Like to get some thoughts from you all on what my next steps should be..................

Went away for 5 days and left the Mach E outside in the rain and cold. First time driving it after heard a thumping sound in the rear and thanks to this community I knew it was the brake pads had frozen to the rotor. I used the prescribed method (shift to neutral and apply the brakes) to hear the unmistakable sound of grinding brake pads, after a couple of times with the brakes it cleared up and all was good - no thumping and no grinding when using manual brakes. Glad you guys are on here to help!!! Now the lack of response and inadequate response from Ford................

Made an appointment to take it to the dealer and explained the problem and solution for them and that I would wait for it (how long does it take to replace pads and turn a rotor, right!). Took it to the dealer at the scheduled appt time. First they said I could not wait for it since Mach E repairs take longer and have to be left for the whole day (now they tell me!). Then they say none of authorized EV technicians came in today and they cant work it (its brake pads!!). Then the shop manager comes out and tells me it is just rust on the rotors (did they listen to what I said, thumping and grinding not squeaking). Told them since I have an appt go ahead and pull the wheels and do the diagnose so we can get parts ordered (saw all your comments that not a sure thing they stock there Mach E pads). Cant do that need to reschedule.

So reschedule and bring the Mach E back. Then 2 hours later they call and say it was just rust on the rotors!!!! Said they would send a video of the pads which they never did to show me. This is the highest volume Ford EV dealers in the DC area. I have some severe doubts they did anything other than test drive it and heard nothing. If it was not so cold I would pull the tires myself and inspect all four pads/rotors.

Next steps??? BTW first time with Ford and was willing to give them a chance all my other cars are German and Japanese.

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[RickMachE]

Like to get some thoughts from you all on what my next steps should be..................

Went away for 5 days and left the Mach E outside in the rain and cold. First time driving it after heard a thumping sound in the rear and thanks to this community I knew it was the brake pads had frozen to the rotor. I used the prescribed method (shift to neutral and apply the brakes) to hear the unmistakable sound of grinding brake pads, after a couple of times with the brakes it cleared up and all was good - no thumping and no grinding when using manual brakes. Glad you guys are on here to help!!! Now the lack of response and inadequate response from Ford................

Made an appointment to take it to the dealer and explained the problem and solution for them and that I would wait for it (how long does it take to replace pads and turn a rotor, right!). Took it to the dealer at the scheduled appt time. First they said I could not wait for it since Mach E repairs take longer and have to be left for the whole day (now they tell me!). Then they say none of authorized EV technicians came in today and they cant work it (its brake pads!!). Then the shop manager comes out and tells me it is just rust on the rotors (did they listen to what I said, thumping and grinding not squeaking). Told them since I have an appt go ahead and pull the wheels and do the diagnose so we can get parts ordered (saw all your comments that not a sure thing they stock there Mach E pads). Cant do that need to reschedule.

So reschedule and bring the Mach E back. Then 2 hours later they call and say it was just rust on the rotors!!!! Said they would send a video of the pads which they never did to show me. This is the highest volume Ford EV dealers in the DC area. I have some severe doubts they did anything other than test drive it and heard nothing. If it was not so cold I would pull the tires myself and inspect all four pads/rotors.

Next steps??? BTW first time with Ford and was willing to give them a chance all my other cars are German and Japanese.

So let me see if I have this right.

You got the noise, follow our process, and it was all set.

So why did you make an appointment when nothing was wrong? Your dealership is right.

 

[AskGoogleCallMike]

Rick - the brake pad is ruined now since part of the pad stuck to the rotor, the grinding was the pad getting removed off the rotor. So one of the brake pads is now trash. Will ruin the rotor fairly quickly (if i ever use the brakes Other threads have pics of what happens when part of the pad sticks to the rotor.

 

[RickMachE]

Rick - the brake pad is ruined now since part of the pad stuck to the rotor, the grinding was the pad getting removed off the rotor. So one of the brake pads is now trash. Will ruin the rotor fairly quickly (if i ever use the brakes Other threads have pics of what happens when part of the pad sticks to the rotor.

Yes, they do, for 2021s, which had a different pad. You have a 2023.

 

[noway]

Totally normal. Just a little bit of braking and the rust is gone and no problems. It is very common in cold areas, and since friction brakes generally is not used much it can build up a little bit of rusty area where pads have been sitting and cause some shaking, but it clear out quickly and the brakes will be performing totally fine after with no damage at all

 

[Monke]

"my other cars are German and Japanese."

I miss my Japanese cars. Life was so boring then when the cars just kept running without any drama as long as they got oil changes once in a long while. No turtle mode (but slow and steady), no blank (small) screen, no sticky brake after several months of parking outside during hot humid plus rain plus daily springers in FL (but brakes were not so great), and no possible stop safely now (can't beat the Japanese on this one). I wished the ACs were cold at start up.

 

[Mach1E]

Rick - the brake pad is ruined now since part of the pad stuck to the rotor, the grinding was the pad getting removed off the rotor. So one of the brake pads is now trash. Will ruin the rotor fairly quickly (if i ever use the brakes Other threads have pics of what happens when part of the pad sticks to the rotor.

If it wore off when you used the brakes in neutral, you should be fine.

My car does this whenever I store it wet. Had to do the neutral braking thing today and all fixed.

And if the above worked for you, new pads and rotors won’t change anything.

 

[Adventureboy]

Rick - the brake pad is ruined now since part of the pad stuck to the rotor, the grinding was the pad getting removed off the rotor. So one of the brake pads is now trash. Will ruin the rotor fairly quickly (if i ever use the brakes Other threads have pics of what happens when part of the pad sticks to the rotor.

Are you sure part of the brake pad is delaminated? While not impossible, it is quite unusual. It is quite normal on any car for the rotors to rust while sitting in a humid environment for a few days and takes a few applications of the brakes to smooth things out. Thumping can just be that part of the rotor is clear when the pad was sitting and rusted where it was not.
BTW, I think Ford could use better-quality rotors on the MME. This happens regularly on my wife's 2022 MME but not once on my 2023 Lightning and the difference in rotor quality is pretty obvious when you look at them. I'll replace them with better quality when they need replacing.

 

[Mach1E]

Are you sure part of the brake pad is delaminated? While not impossible, it is quite unusual. It is quite normal on any car for the rotors to rust while sitting in a humid environment for a few days and takes a few applications of the brakes to smooth things out. Thumping can just be that part of the rotor is clear when the pad was sitting and rusted where it was not.
BTW, I think Ford could use better-quality rotors on the MME. This happens regularly on my wife's 2022 MME but not once on my 2023 Lightning and the difference in rotor quality is pretty obvious when you look at them. I'll replace them with better quality when they need replacing.

Not sure if it’s a coincidence, but my more performance oriented cars tended to have rotors that rust more.

I don’t think surface rust is a sign of lack of quality.

For example, the Porsche GT3 has some of the best brakes of ANY car…….and they rust-
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-gt3-forum/1265279-rusting-rotors-after-wash.html

 

[ChasingCoral]

This is the reason I always make sure to drive a bit right after washing my Mach E or Lightning. The disk brakes rust if you let them sit. The brakes rust I place and you have to drive to get rid of it.

Happens after a summer car wash, too.

 

[Adventureboy]

Not sure if it’s a coincidence, but my more performance oriented cars tended to have rotors that rust more.

I don’t think surface rust is a sign of lack of quality.

For example, the Porsche GT3 has some of the best brakes of ANY car…….and they rust-
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-gt3-forum/1265279-rusting-rotors-after-wash.html

Agree, I probably shouldn't have used "Quality" without a bit of clarification. Softer steel is grabbier and has more baking performance with any given set of brake pads, hence why Porche, Ford and others use it. This is an inexpensive way to have higher-performance brakes at a lower cost. The quality of braking is great but the tradeoff is faster rotor/pad wear and rust with a lower cost for the components.
In most cases, the right steel/pad combination can give the same or better performance with rotors that rust less and last longer, but of course, the price is higher for both .
There are many other factors affecting the decision, but performance/price is why the OEMs use softer steel.
I'd rather pay a couple hundred more for the car with better rotors/pads with the same or better performance, but it is a tradeoff for the OEMs to stay price competitive. The good news is there are great after-market alternatives for upgrading when they become due (beware, there is lots of junk out there too)

 

[BX179]

Would agree it’s unlikely after a short time to have pad material stuck to the rotor. Rust is an issue. Hard braking or reverse braking are important steps to take regularly to keep the rust off. Needs regular attention. I had a hybrid that I ruined the rear discs by not paying more attention to the issue.
Likely didn’t need to go to the dealer unless you continued to hear noises.
Likely you were at Koons Ford?

 

[Shayne]

This is the reason I always make sure to drive a bit right after washing my Mach E or Lightning. The disk brakes rust if you let them sit. The brakes rust I place and you have to drive to get rid of it.

Happens after a summer car wash, too.

My fronts have been locking on since day 1. A little juice and they break free and I am off. Not sure about the pads but the rotors still look fine. Did not know there was an alternate procedure but reverse and throttle does it also. Have to see after 3 years if the pads need to be replaced next time in and if that is my cost. Would love to see something like carbon fiber rotors on EV's as they never get used. Something that does not rust would be good.

 

[Mach1E]

Agree, I probably shouldn't have used "Quality" without a bit of clarification. Softer steel is grabbier and has more baking performance with any given set of brake pads, hence why Porche, Ford and others use it. This is an inexpensive way to have higher-performance brakes at a lower cost. The quality of braking is great but the tradeoff is faster rotor/pad wear and rust with a lower cost for the components.
In most cases, the right steel/pad combination can give the same or better performance with rotors that rust less and last longer, but of course, the price is higher for both .
There are many other factors affecting the decision, but performance/price is why the OEMs use softer steel.
I'd rather pay a couple hundred more for the car with better rotors/pads with the same or better performance, but it is a tradeoff for the OEMs to stay price competitive. The good news is there are great after-market alternatives for upgrading when they become due (beware, there is lots of junk out there too)

I would be shocked if Porsche chose their rotors for the GT3 based on price rather than performance.

Actually “shocked” is the wrong word. I flat out don’t believe that could true.

 

[VindictivePantz]

I had a Mazda that where its rotors would rust if someone breathed near it, and just took a few seconds of braking to make things better.

Rotors and pads always lasted well within their expected lifetimes.

This is not meant to diminish concerns, but thus far in my MME, it behaves much like the Mazda. There's a bit o' rust, and it's gone within seconds. I've not felt/heard any rattling, warping, pits in the rotors. I am 1PD most of the time as well, so the brakes do not get a lot of use.

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