XR5 Rear Brakes

[davo63]

I've owned a Mondeo XR5 for 2 and 1/2 years with 68500kms on the clock.
The service dealer informed me that the rear brake pads and rotors require replacement. The rear pads were replaced around the 32000km mark.

When I questioned the service dealer the reply was that it is common with the Mondeos. Can anyone confirm or deny this and whether i have a problem regarding the set up as all previous cars owned i've never replaced rear pads.

[Lord Viykor]

Ours had 85000+km and never had anything done to the brakes so far.

[Superoo]

I've been informed our rear brake pads need changing. Currently at 37000 kays. Apparently the focus is the same (or so I've been told). Is there some rear brake bias applied on these cars? Got quoted about $280 fitted from Ford. Any aftermarket options?

[fiestaz]

Parents Ford Focus zetec just had pads and discs replaced all round at 36000km's... the discs and pads are incredibly soft. I would assume that there is quite a bit of rear brake bias.

[DRU842]

Just done 70,000km on my XR5 with no pad or disk changes, was 'plenty' of pad front & rear at 60,000km service (I'll have to check the service record, as I'm sure the dealer records it). The brake bias is set to the rear particularly for low speed, round town, applications, this assist with anti-dive (a Volvo development?). The harder the pressure the more force to the fronts.

[yelpir]

My rear pads were changed at 45K too (95% city driving). After market options are available, better to go for after market pads and rotor at the same time was what i was told. The pads are very soft and wear out comparatively quicker but they do a great job in stopping the car. The change to the after market options should make them last longer. Any good mechanic would be able to help. I know I once spoke to someone at Kmart auto and he had a few good options.

[Dusty1]

Mine were done at 45K. Quoted $220 from the dealer, local brake shop $155 including machining the discs. Rears have 'grooves' in the discs, which will need the discs being replaced one day.
Fronts will need to be done next at 60K, but it will be gone by then.

Judging by the amount of brake dust on my alloys, they must be very soft.

[paulie0735]

Rear brakes are not like they used to be, ABS has allowed the rears to do a lot more of the ‘braking’ so replacing rear pads is common now. I replaced my rear pads at 67,000, disks were still within spec, fronts still had plenty of pad life left. As I said in the other forum, get a 2nd opinion because it is certainly NOT common on the XR5 to be replacing pads and disks at 32,000 and pads again at 65,000!!

[NZ XR6]

Rear pads only at 37,000 km. They said the rotors were OK but will probably need replacing at the next service.

The front pads still look good at 49,000 km but the rotors are noticeably worn. I can only assume that the pad material is optimised for factors other than rotor wear! If I do need to replace all 4 rotors at the next service, than I'll be investigating aftermarket rotors and pads.

[marcusturbo]

I'd love to say that the dealer is pullin' a fast one here and just getting money out of you but not so sure.

I'd say that the brake pads are very soft going by the amount of brake dust that covers my wheels in one week of driving, mainly school runs. The front wheels are pretty black and the rears do have a fair amount as well, maybe about 1/3rd of the fronts. I'm not sure about the rotors but I can't imagine then being that soft that they need replacing after approx 70k km's. Your best option would be to ask the dealership what the minimum rotor thickness is and then get them to show you how much "meat" is left on yours. Or do it yourself is you have some vernier calipers.

I do personally like a softer brake pad as it means that the brakes are nice and sharp from the moment you drive, unlike my motorbike which needs a hard pad to help stop from higher speeds more often without fade after a few stops.

[NZ XR6]

I agree - Euro cars seem to have "softer" pads and rotors than Jap or Oz cars. My XR6 got to 75,000 kms without a pad change, and my wife's Accord is at 110,000 kms without any brake work.

You might be on the right track with your comment about the brakes feeling "sharp". Some parts of Europe have very cold winters, so the pads may be optimised to work well when the rotors are at -20°.

I've never had fade with the Mondeo, but after some "brisk" driving on a windy and hilly back road, there was smoke pouring off the front brakes when I stopped and the rears had started squealing very loudly. (Was a little embarrassing actually.) So I will definitely be looking for a more performance oriented pad material whan the time comes.