Just had to replace my front pads- 2001 SuperCrew with H.D. brakes- ( tow package). The truck has 34,720 miles on it and the front pads were shot- I was a bit surprised by the short lifespan of these brakes. I have been getting heavy brake dust on the front rims for a couple of months and knew they where going away but I was still surprised to see such short life. I purchased new pads and did the brakes myself because my local dealer couldn't get me in for a week. My question- I don't think pads are covered under the 3/36 warranty, correct? No chance for reimbursement? I'll guess not.

I got 70,000 out of my Ranger and that easily out of both of my Taurus brakes. Why the crappy life on the 150? And why are the pads $70? These are Raybestos pads from a local parts supply- not the dealer. I would hate to see what they run from the dealer. Geeeeze.


UFM82

 

I think it's all driving style. I had a 97 that I did not replace the brakes in 80k, my 2000 had 85k and the original brakes.

My current truck is 6 months old with 15k.......going to try and go 80K again....

ymmv

-jeff b.

 

One quick thought: a Ranger is a much smaller, lighter truck so it takes less power to stop, the same is true for a Taurus, etc. As Jeff B. just mentioned, driving style plays a huge role in brake pad life. My last truck (chevy 1500) went over 60,000 miles with the same pads and they really weren't that bad even when the finally got replaced. Just something to keep in mind regarding brake pad life. Hopefully you'll have better results with your upgraded system. Good luck.

 

My style hasn't changed- I have a short work commute but do a fair amount of highway driving. I tow a small boat that I towed with my Ranger. I ordered this truck with the tow package which gave me the HD brakes. I would hate to see what the standard brakes would have done. 20K???

I get great mileage out of all my vehicles- this is the first time I have seen brakes go so quickly. I'll guess I'll just chalk it up to a learning experience. At least I don't have rotor problems like I see all over this page.

Still a great truck, despite the few minor flaws, like engine, trans, body, suspension, etc...... LOL

UFM82

 

>had a 97 that I did not replace the brakes in 80k

Same here. It seemed like an eternity before I was forced to replace my shocks. At that point they were chirping like crazy.

 

I've never had factory pads on my truck since I've owned it. My my first set of Raybestos Pro Stops lasted about 14,000 miles I bought Raybestos Ceramic and got 30,000 miles out of them before I replaced them with another set of the same. I've never got more than 35,000 miles on a set of front pads on any car I've owned. I guess I must be hard on brakes even though I try to be a smooth driver.

I have noticed the adjustment of the rear drums has a huge influence on brake performance and life. Mine don't seem to self adjust tight enough on their own. I ususally clean and adjust the rears when I rotate the tires every 5000 miles. I guess that won't mean much to you since you have rear discs.

 

First "no" the brake pads are not covered under 3/36 they are normal wear items. I have 37,000 miles on my stock pads and still have (guesstimate) about 2/3's of them left. I have never had any problems with noise, warped rotors and NO brake dust at all. It stops well hot or cold out, wet or dry, with out towing or when towing my pop-up trailer.

So it does have alot to do with driving style, short stops, long stops, maybe riding the brakes a bit on the freeway rather then letting off the gas to slow a bit there are many styles people use when driving and stopping so it is hard to judge a brake pads quality from person to person.

I am no expert in brake pads but to me it would seem if someone is getting a lot of brake dust that maybe the pads are of a softer compound? Maybe less likely to glaze when stopping heavy loads? Like I said I really don't know anything about brake pads but have never had any problems with brake dust.

 

also keep in mind that your heavier SCrew will chew up pads faster than my lighter regular cab.

So if Ford gives you brakes that will last 70,000 then those same pads will last me 100,000.

No manufaturer wants a part to last that long... takes money out of the service department.

 

Let me preface this by saying that I am no expert. The following is what I learned from the local Ford Parts Dept. one evening when the parts man was not busy and just killing time. I went in with the general brake pad questions. I am running a '98 F-150 with modded 4.6. I am still running my original factory pads all the way around and I have 61,000 miles on the truck.

The parts man said that Ford has three grades of pads for these F-150's: the el cheapo $17 / pad set that will squeal for sure and maybe get you 25,000 miles between changes; the premium pad at about $60 / pad set and good wear and good stopping and that is what I likely had on my pickup; finally the severe duty pads which cost more, eat up the rotors (each change means new pads and new rotors) BUT................. these pads will stop your truck each time every time. The only folks who need to use these are those who are pulling heavy trailers up and down mountains.

He reccommended the $60 premium pad or a similar aftermarket Raybestos premium pad for similar $$. In addition he knew my brakes were still good so he wasn't going to sell me any brakes no matter what he said.

I don't know if that is at all helpful or not. For sure auto tranny trucks burn brakes faster and for sure S'crew and/or 4wd trucks burn brakes faster (simple physics more weight {mass} = more stopping power needed).

 

UFM82

After rereading your post I suspect you mayt indeed have the "severe duty" brakes. If you do, then they are performing as designed -- wearing out quickly creating dust and most importantly, stopping your truck. You may want to consider those premium pads I mentioned above. Again, I'm just relating what I learned for myself.

EB

 

I have to agree with the driving style. I have always been terrible on brakes. I have 01 SCREW with the towing package and needed brakes at 18K.

I was dissapointed with the single plastic piston in the caliper and surprised that this was the first vehicle that the rears actually showed considerable wear. In the Disk/Drum of my last Bronco I would have to replace the front 4x as often as the rear.

Maybe I should quit driving like I stole it and move closer to work?

 

I have an '01 XLT Sport (Supercab, 4x2, tow package) and it has pretty much always kicked off brake dust like crazy. I've never towed a thing with it, rarely have anything heavier than a bicycle in the bed, and have a 22 mile / day mostly freeway commute.

After a couple weeks without washing, the 17" aluminum wheels will have a very distinct tan coat of dust, all four wheels, fronts more than rear.

I bet all of them do it, but if you're in the habit of washing the truck every week you never would notice it.

Dealer was psyching up to hit me with a brake job last time I was in for an oil change, but never said anything about it after the write up. Guess he saw the brake dust on the wheels and got excited ;-)

 

menchar:

I have the same truck, but no tow package. It came with the 4-pin connector but my understanding is that is not a "tow package" I do tow my 2,400lb pop-up trailer no problems.

Anyway I have had no problems with my pads, no dust nothing on my 17" alum wheels. So maybe you have these server pads that was talked about?

 

From what I understand from Ford, the Class III Tow Package does not include Heavy Duty Brakes. This is only included with the 7700lb GVW package. I am not sure which one you have. The 7700lb GVW package should have included 7-lug wheels.

If you feel you are chewing up front brakes, that would alert me to check the shocks, both front and back. If they are leaking, it could be causing the vehicle to lean forward more on braking, causing your front brakes to have to do more work.

I just replaced my tires, brakes, and shocks at 50k. I feel like I am driving a new truck again. I really believe that the factory shocks are crap, even on the OPR's. The newer FX4 package offers a name brand shock so it shouldn't be a big problem.

If you feel that you are going thru pads quickly, I would recommend going to a shop with a lifetime brake warranty. If they use cheap pads and you eat them up in 20K miles, it is the shops problem, and not yours.

 

In my opinion, if you go to these shops with the lifetime warranty you end up paying out a lot more money. Reason being they will most likely want to turn the rotors all the time (not covered) as well as find other little problems (not covered) you can only turn the rotors so many times (not covered) and then your buying new ones (not covered).

The lifetime warranty is to make you a lifetime cash flow to them, like Midas...