Them's the brakes......

b2tf · 28-03-2006, 11:53 PM

Come 70,000 and its time to do the pads and rotors. Looking for reccomendations on what to get - i see EBC Greenstuff pads recommended a lot?
Wanting decent performing stuff but more longevity in mind, i dont need slotted rotors etc.

Any recommendations?

Zetec20 · 29-03-2006, 10:20 AM

Heard nothing but good about EBC Greenstuff, especially good if you don't wanna be bent over wiping brake dust off every morning and afternoon, as for rotors i've got no idea lol, haven't come around to that yet

melbzetec · 29-03-2006, 10:51 AM

Have been told that you can't get EBC Greenstuff for rear brakes. Greenstuff for the front...yes..., but EBC black for the rear. Don't know if that's true.

I am looking to get slotted rotors, braided lines, and greenstuff front, black for back.(I know you don't want slotted)

Have been told drilled is absolute overkill for Focus on the road

b2tf · 29-03-2006, 11:56 AM

yeah, i think slotteds would be overkill for me, and from what i gather slotteds go through pads quicker, so there's no point. i think some decent quality rotors and pads, with new fluid, will do the job just fine.

Just unsure of what rotors to go mainly, i am pretty content to go with EBC pads.

BA Bakes · 29-03-2006, 12:23 PM

Austin,

EBC greenstuffs and slotted rotor stop me fat-*** ba no problems. Greenstuffs would definity help stop your focus and slotted rotors even more, but could be overkill. I seems to have a lot more brake dust tho.

cheers,
Luke

FRA · 29-03-2006, 01:41 PM

I can get EBC green or red brake pads. EBC pads come in sets of 2 pad
The EBC brakes pads are not bad but could be better, I have used EBC green pads on my Focus and what brake pads we use on our 2 Focus now is a big difference and we wouldn't use any other brake pad on the market.

The brake pads we sell are alot better then EBC, reason why?
1) The 1st thing me and my g/f noticed was the braking, it would slow the car down alot faster and more stopping power. You don't have to ride the brake pedal.

2) The price is $100.00 and you get 4 brake pads not 2.

3) If you went through me or another dealer or got them yourself from the US, it'll cost you alot more.
4) more stopping power, quieter, no mushy pedal, last longer than any other pad, increaces rotor life, less dust on your rims.

We can only get power slot rotor, we can't get stock standard rotors.
we can get Stainless Steel Brake Lines

b2tf · 29-03-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRA

I can get EBC green or red brake pads. EBC pads come in sets of 2 pad
The EBC brakes pads are not bad but could be better, I have used EBC green pads on my Focus and what brake pads we use on our 2 Focus now is a big difference and we wouldn't use any other brake pad on the market.

The brake pads we sell are alot better then EBC, reason why?
1) The 1st thing me and my g/f noticed was the braking, it would slow the car down alot faster and more stopping power. You don't have to ride the brake pedal.

2) The price is $100.00 and you get 4 brake pads not 2.

3) If you went through me or another dealer or got them yourself from the US, it'll cost you alot more.
4) more stopping power, quieter, no mushy pedal, last longer than any other pad, increaces rotor life, less dust on your rims.

We can only get power slot rotor, we can't get stock standard rotors.
we can get Stainless Steel Brake Lines

Interesting. I did actually look at your site last night in regards to this query, but i couldnt find any brand names etc. Call me biased, but i prefer to have a brand name product so i can look it up and see the company it comes from etc.

So Rob, what are the pads you sell - what brand etc?

Also, whats a set of EBC Greens worth from you. I plan on doing the front brakes only at this stage, i feel the rears are fine and will check them tomorrow.

Re the rotors, I dont want Ford ones again, im told they are prone to warping easier than other types. I was hoping DBA or somebody made some decent ones for Focus, but again I havent looked as yet.

Mick K. · 29-03-2006, 03:01 PM

You can download the DBA catalog - it is 8Mb - from here: http://www.dba.com.au/DBAcat_012005.pdf

They have standard and slotted and cross-drilled and slotted for the LR Focus, and places such as Repco, SuperCheap and Autobarn can order them in. They don't seem to have rear brakes - but they don't usually wear as quickly as fronts though.

Unless something else comes up in the next few months, this (either standard or slotted) is what I plan to put on my car when I get told the factory ones are due for replacement.

FOCUS
1.8L, 2.0 all models (except ST170) 2002 on
Front
Part number:
2100 Standard
2100S Slotted
2100X Cross-drilled & slotted

melbzetec · 29-03-2006, 03:49 PM

Have a look at RDA rotors as well

FRA · 29-03-2006, 04:20 PM

Performance Friction Brakes..... thats the name of the pad. You don't get any stickers with these brakes. I've had both on my car, as I said before, and I have found these ones to be much better in quality. Much less brake dust than the EBC brakes too.
DBA or RDA rotors are good as well.
I have RDA rotors on mine and their fine.

melbzetec · 29-03-2006, 04:25 PM

What size are the rotors on the LR Focus Zetec? My brake guy is getting two figures quoted at him 260mm diam, and 300mm diam. I'll have to drop in and get him to measure them, but I'd rather know wjhat the spec is

I assume the Zetec had the same size rotor as the CL. Is the 300mm the ST170?

FRA · 29-03-2006, 07:22 PM

I have just been to Repco, SuperCheap and they don't stock EBC pads.
Supercheap said to me they never heared of EBC and it wasn't in the data system
Repco doesn't sell them australia wide.
I didn't go to Autobarn.

FRA · 29-03-2006, 07:37 PM

I can get 300mm front rotor and 280mm rotor for rear
Only problem its also incl capipers and front and rear knuckles and its a full kit
I don't think I can just get the rotor on there own
I can find out for you if your interested?

melbzetec · 30-03-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbzetec

What size are the rotors on the LR Focus Zetec? My brake guy is getting two figures quoted at him 260mm diam, and 300mm diam. I'll have to drop in and get him to measure them, but I'd rather know wjhat the spec is

I assume the Zetec had the same size rotor as the CL. Is the 300mm the ST170?

Yes (answering my own question) 300mm is for ST170.

Next Tuesday I am getting RDA slotted rotors, custom braided brake lines, EBC Greenstuff front pads, and EBC Black pads on back.

I'll report back when they are done

By the way, apparently braided hoses imported from the US or UK don't meet Australian regulations. Caveat Emptor

b2tf · 30-03-2006, 07:35 PM

I'll be very keen to see your results with the new rotors especially. Im pretty sold on Greenstuffs (assuming I can find them anyway), just got to make up my mind on rotors. Maybe slotteds wouldnt be such a bad choice.

Getting very urgent to do the job soon though, braked at one point today and they shuddered VERY badly.

zetec · 02-04-2006, 12:53 AM

70,000km on one set of pads and discs Austin? Daaaaaaamn that's good. I'm guessing you HAD to have at least a pad change bfore that though. Then again, you do a LOT of highway k's so maybe not... Mine were all changed at 45,000km and that was quite late for a city dwelling Focus.

b2tf · 02-04-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

70,000km on one set of pads and discs Austin? Daaaaaaamn that's good. I'm guessing you HAD to have at least a pad change bfore that though. Then again, you do a LOT of highway k's so maybe not... Mine were all changed at 45,000km and that was quite late for a city dwelling Focus.

As far as im aware it hasnt had a pad change. I certainly havent done one in the time ive had it, and thats almost 40,000kms worth.

Went to Repco and Supercrap today - surprise bloody surprise the DBA cat they had doesnt have Focus in it at all. Had to come back and get the part number off their website!

b2tf · 03-04-2006, 11:05 PM

Bit of an update:-

took the car to a brake specialist today, highly recommended and knows his stuff.
Some interesting points came out of it. This guy told me DBA rotors are crap, mainly due to the coating they dip the rotors in to stop them rusting. Since cast iron is porous, apparently this stuff soaks in, then in hot conditions (so after a good run etc), it seeps back out and kills your responsiveness.

And, funnily enough, my rear pads were actually down more than my fronts. That seems odd to me, i would have thought the fronts would wear down a lot quicker since the bias is on them?

What this guy is quoting up for me is a set of replacement rotors - EBC slotted rotors (didnt know EBC made rotors), as well as greenstuff pads all round. I know Melbzetec said you cant get them for the back, he seems to think you can get them or at least an equivalent pad to suit the rear. To be honest i dont know what the difference would be in front and rear?

Anyway, tomorrow i should have a firm quote for fitting of new front rotors, new pads all round and on-car machining of the rear rotors. I am expecting it to be around $500 (read: I bloody hope it is not more than 500

: ).

Also looking into braided lines. He reckons they would be a worthwhile improvment, just got to get quotes on getting them made.

melbzetec · 04-04-2006, 11:44 AM

It's not a cheap exercise. Whilst each of the parts seem reasonable it adds up.

I'd also had not much enthusiasm from brake guys on the DBA.

So: I'm getting (today) 4 RDA slotted Rotors. EBC Greenstuff front pads, EBC Black pads on rear. Braided hoses all round. Total cost with labour, $1200.

Not cheap, and not the sexiest upgrade, but without good brakes you're shot.

Plus my brakes needed doing, and I figured I'd end up spending $600 or something at Ford just to get what I already had. So I bit the bullet.

Here's hoping it's a good result

b2tf · 04-04-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbzetec

It's not a cheap exercise. Whilst each of the parts seem reasonable it adds up.

I'd also had not much enthusiasm from brake guys on the DBA.

So: I'm getting (today) 4 RDA slotted Rotors. EBC Greenstuff front pads, EBC Black pads on rear. Braided hoses all round. Total cost with labour, $1200.

Not cheap, and not the sexiest upgrade, but without good brakes you're shot.

Plus my brakes needed doing, and I figured I'd end up spending $600 or something at Ford just to get what I already had. So I bit the bullet.

Here's hoping it's a good result

Sorry mate just had to pick myself up off the floor after seeing that price! Jeez!

Hope mine doesnt come to that!

My guy did tell me he could do braided line for a bit over $100 per line, so hopefully thats where the difference between mine and yours is. I do want to do them, but funds wont permit atm.

melbzetec · 04-04-2006, 03:19 PM

4 x $100 for hoses, plus two more rotors at about $100 ea =$600

Add that to your $500 and your at $1100

Doesn't take much!!!!

b2tf · 04-04-2006, 09:22 PM

Got the quote today - EBC rotors, new pads all round, new fluid and fitting - $450. Not bad i thought. Was expecting a lot worse,put it that way.

I'll be doing rear rotors a little down the track. Will most likely do braided lines then too.

Oh, and something interesting for you - DBA catalog says that a non ST 170 2l LR Focus has a 270mm front rotor - they are 258mm on my CL.

melbzetec · 05-04-2006, 10:59 PM

Well, so far I've only driven home in traffic, but I'm very happy at this point with the brake upgrade.

Definitely stops the car quicker. I particularly noticed it when turning into my street... a small dab of the brakes and it really scrubbed speed off quickly...much quicker than before where braking was more a long slow push.

Easy to drive in traffic, not grabbing at all. Pedal feel is a little different which is to be expected

I need to drive it more and report back. I have had Brembo's before on the T3 Tickford, so I'll end up trying to make comparisons (which is a bit stupid given the weight difference!!)

Definitely not a bang for your buck upgrade, but at least I am noticing an appreciable difference

zetec · 06-04-2006, 12:38 AM

Good to see a new/different mod so to speak here. Good work Steve, love it. Thanks for the tips and the pricing, definitely something the rest of us can appreciate when it comes time to consider our opions at the next change.

Looking forward to your ongoing reviews mate.

Miyagi · 06-04-2006, 05:45 AM

bugger all these softies... just go get some nice fat brembos that'll fit and whackem on!

b2tf · 27-04-2006, 10:37 PM

Dug this one up.

Ive had the fronts done for about a week now, RDA slotteds and EBC Greenstuffs. Tomorrow I'm getting the same put on the rear.

So far they're proving to be bloody good. New fluid too, and the response is great. I'm told they need about 1000kms or so to fully bed in and get maximum responsiveness, but if how they are now is anything to go by, I'm very impressed.

The only annoying bit is that the rotors are still dropping a little oil onto the rim, but there isn't much more left.

Can highly recommend this combo to Focus owners - heaps better than the stockers.

amlohac · 28-04-2006, 06:31 PM

brembos are way overkill for the underpowered focus. Why waste the cash?

b2tf · 28-04-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amlohac

brembos are way overkill for the underpowered focus. Why waste the cash?

where did that come from? dont want brembos, never said anything about them? quite happy with what ive got after today!

Mick K. · 03-06-2006, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

Got the quote today - EBC rotors, new pads all round, new fluid and fitting - $450. Not bad i thought. Was expecting a lot worse,put it that way.

I'll be doing rear rotors a little down the track. Will most likely do braided lines then too.

Oh, and something interesting for you - DBA catalog says that a non ST 170 2l LR Focus has a 270mm front rotor - they are 258mm on my CL.

Any chance of a parts / labour breakdown on that cost? Also did you go to a private mechanic for this or a Repco/Midas/etc style chain?

I think I am up for pads and discs all round :(

Anyone recommend a place in Brisbane (pref northside) to do this?

Thanks,

MK

Gear · 03-06-2006, 09:02 PM

I wonder if you could upgrade to the xr5 brakes? I think you would need to goto 18' rims with the 320mm front rotors.