My 2003 XLT ( v6, 4X4 ) just had its 15000 mile service at Ford ( free service for 25,000 miles). I was told that the front brake pads probably would need replacement when I brought it in for the 20K service. I have several questions.
- Is 20k miles normal for front pads?. My previous explorers ( 1998,
- What are the best quality pads I can use ( low squeal - good stopping power - long life )?
- In all my previous vehicles, I always replaced the pads before they had a chance to score the rotors because turning rotors on the lathe always leads to warping after around 5k miles on the new pads. The OEM rotors are marginal, in my opinion, as regards to thickness and quality of steel. Any further reduction of thickness puts them over the edge in ability to resist warping. This has always been a fight with service operations because they all seem to be stuck in the old time warp going back to the days when all brakes were drum brakes, and you had to true up the drums when you replaced the "shoes". Drums had a lot of metal on them and could stand a lot of cutting. Has anybody had this experience?
Sy Cohen