Brakes/tires

[Ray LaGala 2]

I have an 02 st .Do the brakes wear out in the front fast? I also have a squeek that is anoying the hell out of me. I took it to the dealer I'm going to replace them in two or three weeks.

Any sugestions also I need tires I'm looking for a smoth ride? Thanks

 

[Dre L]

My brakes have squealed for the longest, I'm positive it isn't the front, but the rears. I have a 01J2 with drums in the rear. In the front I have used Akebono ProAct Ceramics which are awesome, and Wagner ThermoQuiets which are pretty good also (I think the Akebono were crisper for stopping). I'll be having a set of thermoquiets installed in the rear soon. They were squealing horribly until I cleaned the rear drums out, then it gradually came back.



Pirelli Scorpion STRa are very smooth tires. You'll get plenty of recommendations for tires and such here. Tires, followed by good shocks, and an upgraded rear sway bar with urethane bushings (www.explorerexpress.com) will make the total difference, search for either of those on this site for plenty of hits.



Changing my front sway bar bushings with urethanes from energy suspension helped also. The stock bushings are urethane, but my 2 main ones were worn out.



Shocks and Tires will make the most noticeable improvement. I had installed the Pirelli's over the crappy Goodyear RT/S tires when one of the GY melted on me. Big difference right away, then shocks, more improvement, then sway bar upgrades.



The sway bar upgrades are only noticeable in cornering, and when you hit a bump on a curve at hwy speeds. It will ride on rails, and won't kick out in the back when you hit a bump on the hwy.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Upgrade the front pads to the 04 pads. They have a larger braking surface and will fit the 02 calipers.

 

[Richard L]

Ray,

A lot of members here have reported premature front brake pad wear, warped rotors and sqealing brakes, especially on the earlier models from 2001-2002.



Most people have upgraded their front pads with aftermarket Carbon Metalic pads available from several companies including Raybestos, Wagnor, and Performance Friction, to name a few. I also feel that continued problems are an indication of sticking calipers and can usually be detected by uneven pad wear and flushing the brake fluid.



For the squealing brakes, I feel most situations can be cured by lubing the brake pad tabs and the caliper frame, as well as using a good quality pad that includes isolator pads called slippers. Ford pads have slippers but I don't think their techs bother lubing the caliper frame and pad tab contact points.



...Rich

 

[Jeff Geist]

Rich - any chance you have any pictures of where you lubed the tabs and caliper frame or who might have some pictures. I am one of those squeaky brake drivers and it isn't so bad now that it's colder (only because the windows are up). I have never done any brake work (in fact, I've have only done 1-2 wrench type projects; oil changes, shocks, IAC, air box, etc.)

 

[Lester Durst]

My wifes 02 had about 45k on it when the dealer that she uses told her that her front brakes were shot. $199.00 later (front only??) she was back on the road. We'll see how long the new ones last.

 

[Richard L]

hefhay,

I don't have any pictures but I do have the old pads from my 2001 Sport Trac. I will try to post a photo of the pad, the slippers, and the tabs that need to be greased. When you remove the calipers you will see where the brake pads slide on the caliper frame.



These contact points need to be inspected for burrs that can cause the pad to stick and they should be removed with a file. Then these slide contact points should be given a small dab of high temperature brake grease/



...Rich

 

[Johnny O]

On most vehicles I've owned the front brakes wore out first.

 

[Ray LaGala 2]

Thanks for the advice everyone.