I've had my 97 F-150 just under a year. I put on new brake pads when I bought it. I cleaned and lubed the slides with synthetic brake slide grease, and cleaned and adjusted the rear brakes. The new pads(Raybestos Lifetime) wore out in about 15,000 miles. The inboard pad was worn out and grinding on both sides. The outboard pads, while worn, still had a 1/4" of pad left. This is really bad since the sqeeling wear indicators are on the outboard pads.

I called three Ford service departments, and two said that they see this type of wear and that it is typical. I also calles Raybestos, and they said they sell lots of these pads and weren't aware of any problems.

What are your experiences with brake pad life and wear? Sycoholic, any comments?


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97 XLT S/C Long Bed 2wd, 4.6 Romeo, 4R70W Trans., 3.55 LS, 181,000 miles

[This message has been edited by Bent6 (edited 12-02-1999).]

 

Bent6: I thought the wear indicators were supposed to be installed inboard to detect just such a wear pattern. Mine have always been anyway!

As far as pad wear, read my topic "Beware..." and "Experience with Napa..." in the brake forum. I have had a pretty bad experience with these pads. They wore pretty bad in the 7,000 miles I had them. I'm on my third set still with warped rotors.

I have heard good things about Raybestos. I would expect more than 15,000 miles from them. Good luck with your new set and stay away from NAPA rotors when you replace yours.

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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, white/sliver, SC, ORP, 5.4 (FQR 8/99) running Mobil 1
Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt Nerf Bars, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, K&N Filter, Carbon Fiber Bug Gaurd and rigged the fog lights too.





[This message has been edited by kkirt1 (edited 12-02-1999).]

 

I just went and looked at the Haynes manual. They show the sqeeling wear indicator at the bottom of the inboard pad. I put mine on the way I took them off last year. I thought outboard was right since the last brake service was done at the dealer before I bought the truck. I'll turn them around this weekend.

Raybestos did suggest I switch to their super stop pads. They said I would get another 5,000-6,000 miles over my current pads without increased rotor wear.

[This message has been edited by Bent6 (edited 12-02-1999).]