Brake Pads and Rotors

[Strikerus]

Hello All,

Im coming up on my 50k checkup, I plan to ask for a rotation and multi point, if the brake fluids need to be changed ill do that too but with brake pads and rotors is there a way I can change that myself or are the systems configured to give an error message if done outside an authorized dealership? Any guidance would be helpful thank you!

Sponsored

 

[AliRafiee]

Do you need new brakes?
You can do it yourself, you have to put the car in brake service mode. You will need three legs and 5 arms to put it in that mode.

Keep in mind that non-oem parts tend to make the car complain about the brakes. I did my own brake job. Yes, I got the error message on the dash, but it went away after a week or so. I think it senses the thickness of the pad or something, and when it wore down a bit, it stop complaining.

 

[AliRafiee]

Here is how you put it in the brake service mode.
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/brake-service-mode-how-to.5203/

He missed a step. I pointed out here.
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/brake-service-mode-how-to.5203/post-943729

 

[Strikerus]

Here is how you put it in the brake service mode.
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/brake-service-mode-how-to.5203/

He missed a step. I pointed out here.
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/brake-service-mode-how-to.5203/post-943729

Do you have a preference on the brake brands? I'm looking at it rockauto and am thinking of the performance vs premium section. I am also looking to see if it's accurate that I should need the brakes just yet, I cant seem to look closely past the wheel rims to glance. Any advice? Thank you

 

[tbrumleve]

I’ve been able to get a good look at the pads through the wheel. You can use the tool below to measure thickness.

https://a.co/d/0fZZc52T

31k miles and mine are still around 80%

 

[pikepilot]

Just had my 65K miler in the shop for recall and they did a full inspection, brake pads, brake fluid all good (neither have ever been changed). If they mention the brake fluid needing to be changed based solely on their manual.....have them lookup your vehicle on ford.com maintenance schedule.....the mandatory brake fluid replacement does NOT show up there at any interval.

My dealer had threatened my extended warranty validity based on their manual saying replace fluid until I showed them what a VIN (or model year if you don't sign in) specific service schedule shows on Ford.com For reference if you do actually need the service my dealer was going to charge $200, which seemed reasonable if I had actually needed it.

 

[kens]

Do you have a preference on the brake brands? I'm looking at it rockauto and am thinking of the performance vs premium section. I am also looking to see if it's accurate that I should need the brakes just yet, I cant seem to look closely past the wheel rims to glance. Any advice? Thank you

I'd be a bit surprised if you need them; depending how you drive these brakes can last a looooong time. Even well into 6 digit mileage.

Wait to buy parts until the inspection, and ask them to give you the pad measurements.

 

[markboris]

Just had my 65K miler in the shop for recall and they did a full inspection, brake pads, brake fluid all good (neither have ever been changed). If they mention the brake fluid needing to be changed based solely on their manual.....have them lookup your vehicle on ford.com maintenance schedule.....the mandatory brake fluid replacement does NOT show up there at any interval.

My dealer had threatened my extended warranty validity based on their manual saying replace fluid until I showed them what a VIN (or model year if you don't sign in) specific service schedule shows on Ford.com For reference if you do actually need the service my dealer was going to charge $200, which seemed reasonable if I had actually needed it.

In my owners manual under Scheduled Maintenance, it shows to replace the brake fluid every 3 years.

 

[AliRafiee]

Do you have a preference on the brake brands? I'm looking at it rockauto and am thinking of the performance vs premium section. I am also looking to see if it's accurate that I should need the brakes just yet, I cant seem to look closely past the wheel rims to glance. Any advice? Thank you

I prefer ceramic pads since they don’t throw dust as much as organic pads. Some wheels make it hard to see the pads. Do your best with a flash light. If you still can’t see them, I guess you can take the wheel off. Some shops do free brake checks. Have them show you the pads, so you can see it with your own eyes.

 

[Teslaeata]

Do you need new brakes?

Nearly 124,000 miles and discs/rotors and pads no worse than they were 80,000 miles ago since when dealers have been started have warning me that brakes are wearing

I’d inspect for physical condition and measure thickness of discs/rotors and the friction lining materials, compare with specified limits, put into context the level of wear with mm wear so far per 1,000 miles multiplied by remaining thickness will give you an approximate projected remaining life.

 

[noway]

If you do change the brake pads yourself be sure to really push the brake pedal many times until pads are as close to the discs as possible before exiting service mode. If the pistons moves more than a tiny bit on brake pedal press after it will trigger a sticky fluid leak error code with red error light that will not go away without manual reset with scan tool.

Bleeding/fluid change can only be done by service procedure (or maybe with 12V disconnected) as the booster is active even in service mode and will try to assist pumping fluid until it detects backpressure

 

[pikepilot]

In my owners manual under Scheduled Maintenance, it shows to replace the brake fluid every 3 years.

......like I said, have them look it up on the official Ford.com site under Scheduled Maintenance. They can use your specific VIN or a generic year/model...or you can pull it up yourself on your Ford.com Dashboard They have since changed it to inspect only, not replace. Newer models also reflect this in their original manual.

 

[azerik]

I attempted the fluid flush last week with the dealer nearest to me (who tried to sell it to me with "BMW says every 2 years"). Then after a few days of them not getting it done, I was told a story about how they've never done one on a Mach-E and it required 'the computer'. For the $199 I was quoted I figured they could do it rather than me having to fight brake mode. But if I still had my pressurized bleeder kit I'd do it myself. (which was roughly 1/2 the cost of the service) That said I do most everything myself. But I'd much rather pay someone to do the fluid flush these days.
My FFE? 6mm on the pads after 13 years and 105k lol. Also never once looked at the brake fluid. Never. lol

Sponsored