My dad recently rotated my tires on my 98 Ford Explorer (rear wheel drive) and told me that my brake pads were like non existant. My moms mechanic friend said he would only charge me labor if I gave him the parts. But I am embarassed to ask what parts I need can anyone help me?
You need brake pads. Go to your local auto parts store and tell them you need front and rear brake pads for a 98 Explorer. Just make sure you tell them if it's a V8 or V6. The pads for the V8 are larger up front. Last time I got pads they were something like $35 for the front pair and $29 for the rear. Do yourself a favor and do not get pads that have a lifetime warranty. The don't wear out, but your rotors do wear. It's cheaper to replace pads than rotors.
The mechanic friend may be able to get the parts cheaper if he's a "real" mechanic, but not if he's just a guy who does work out of his house.
Oh, oh! If the pads are non existent then I fear for the rotors. If the mechanic in question has a shop and is ASE certified, ask him for a list of needed parts. If he does not meet the requirements, go to a real shop and get a professional job done. If you think that is expensive, consider the costs involved if you hit somebody because you couldn't stop in time.
Charlie
jamiedee86 - do you hear any metallic noise when braking? Do you feel anything in the pedal when you brake - pulsing or maybe even a grinding feeling? If not, you're probably OK.
The guy will be able to tell you when he replaces the pads. Let's not give this kid anything to panic about.
Let me tell you a story that will probably make the purists cringe. Way back when, I had a vehicle with just front disc. When I bought it, there were visible gouges in both rotors. Obviously someone drove it for quite some time with no pads. There is no way they didn't hear ungodly noises coming from up there.
So, being the cheap bastard I am, I bought a new set of pads and threw them on. Guess what? She felt like new again. It probably took all of 3 stops before the pads wore in and seated to the rotor grooves. The pads didn't wear any shorter than other cars I've owned. Also, theoretically speaking, I should have been getting better braking since I had more surface area with all the grooves.
Yes, this is true and yes, I would try it again if I ran in to the same situation. No, I don't expect any purist to agree with any of it.
Mark, thank goodness for folks like you.
You are right.
I have done the same thing, with my explorer, Last year I really didn't feel like changing the rotors out, so I just replaced the pads and like yours they seated just fine. THis year I did however change out the rotors, put on new pads and hardware.
Searcher1
My experience is that the pads seem to wear out quicker when the rotors are full of grooves. But, even if the pads don't seat themselves in the grooves how much surface area are you really losing--10% maybe? I hope Ford did not design the brakes so they would not be effective at 90%.
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