Brake Pad Life - if I missed another post on this - please point me in the right direction

[inmanlanier]

I could not find any discussion on this topic trying an advanced search.

What is everyone's experience on OEM brake pad life - both front and rear? How many miles and generally what type of driving do you do?

For those of you that change your own (or know the specific pad compound your mechanic used) - what pads did you use and would you use them again?

thanks

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

We have a lot of Ford products in the family, currently eight total. The only ones that have needed brakes were a 2010 MKX and a 2011 MKX--both rear pads only. Have not needed to replace brake pads on the Aviator yet, but on our previous MKX, I used Wagner QEX pads. Good braking minimal dust. I would either use them again on the Aviator or stick with the Motorcraft OEM pads.

 

[11MarkX]

Bought my 2011 MKX in 2016, had 50K and brakes looked 3/4 new. MKX has 87K today and they look about 1/4 so a little longer and time for a change. I drive normally.

I think brake pads are mostly you get what you pay for....except for one type. Ceramic brake pads should only be used on the track since they work best when hot. Ceramics require more pedal pressure driving normally.

When changing brake pads, its imperitive to change the ALL the brake fluid. It takes time which is why Ford dealers may not do the job correctly. It takes bleeding out all fluid at all 4 tires, replacing with new fluid, then driving it and activate the ABS system (on gravel or slippery street). Then bleed and replace fluid again.

The reason is the ABS holds a good amount of brake fluid and if fluid not changed, all these little pistons get corroded or clogged up. Once clogged, the pedal goes almost down to the floor sporadically. (due to one or more pistons stuck open due to dirty brake fluid). Dealers will tell you you need a master cylinder but thats usually not the problem.

 

[inmanlanier]

Thanks, all for the input. I'm in particular looking for the late model Aviator experience. The reason for this is that I've also got quite a bit of brake experience and I've learned over the years that there's a lot more variety (in a bad way) of how different cars are spec'd OEM from the factory in terms of wear characteristics (all - including noise, torque, dust, fade, life).

Any 2020 - 2022 Aviator folks with brake life to share with us?

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[RedGeminiPA]

Any quality ceramic pads should be a safe bet. Obviously, some are better than others. Check online reviews.

 

[C Krohn]

Brake wear depends heavily on your type of driving. I usually keep vehicles until they have about 100,000 miles on them, and I’ve only had to replace brakes on one vehicle in more than 30 years. That one had 180,000 miles on it.

 

[inmanlanier]

So no one on this forum has replaced brakes on their '20-'22 Aviators yet, huh?

 

[moose66]

So no one on this forum has replaced brakes on their '20-'22 Aviators yet, huh?

It may not help answer your question(s), but I see this is some good news on this vehicle for a change.

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[Meadster71]

Here’s 2020 Aviator brakes/pads case for you. I am avg driver, mixed miles, dont drive agressive and slam brakes every stop but I drive fast when on open roads remaining safe of course. I had very poor wear on original brake pads within 1 year (during covid, low miles, only about 8,000m or so, but felt like they were way below wear already…dealer replaced brakes for free warrnaty but I assume it was only front “pads” looking at all parts now 2 yrs later. Ok for year or two but past year in mid to late 20k mile ranges brakes were definitely already getting bad again. I had help from neighbor mechanic, replaced front and rear pads and rotors. Front brake original pads (if replaced by dealer less than 2yrs ago?)… were in bad shape, destroyed and disintegrated like crumbling shale pieces - couldnt believe the brakes didnt feel worse or fail even??
Rear pads were in better shape but worn…and once I replaced all 4 pads and rotors, I even got a better smoother ride so I think original rotors were also warped from early on in car life in 2020.
I replaced OEMs from Lincoln with the premium level platinum brake pads and premium painted platinum rotors from Advanced Auto and they seemed much higher quality than the OEMs by look and so far in first 1500 miles driving they are great in my case. So OEM parts used were either inferior garbage, or installed improperly not greased etc… and hung up, and or all above?
Hoping I have longer life this round as I own the car now and I had trusty mechanical friend who is very thorough and installs properly and perfect.

 

[inmanlanier]

Thanks for the information.

I remember our 2005 Ford Five-Hundred - Ford had poorly spec'd out the rear brake pad compound; they dusted heavily and wore out prematurely at ~20K miles - not nearly as bad as your experience. This is what I meant by sometimes you get odd OEM issues.

Thanks for the data point. I'm already at 29K miles. Since Lincoln has been changing my oil for free with the points, I've not looked. Maybe I'll take a peek.

 

[moose66]

Inmanlanier, if you have your oil changed at the dealer, do they not do a complimentary inspection? I would think they would alert you to any abnormal brake, tire, etc. wear at that time. Although in most cases, those complimentary inspections leave you wondering if they even did an inspection. They tend to be misleading and/or confusing. In other words, hard to trust or believe. Appear at times to be an attempt to get you to commit to more unnecessary service.

 

[inmanlanier]

Inmanlanier, if you have your oil changed at the dealer, do they not do a complimentary inspection?

A have a 9000 Rotary two post lift at my home (12' ceiling). The only reason the dealer has done the changes so far is that I had the points. This will be the last one.

To confirm your other comments, I've unfortunately learned not to trust 'dealer inspections' - depending on how much they are paid, I find they either don't thoroughly check stuff, or more often than not they are dishonest as can be and write up unnecessary services for revenue purposes. As an example, when my Genesis was under warranty and they offered coupons, I'd let them change the oil (it wasn't worth my time and materials for $25). Every time I would check the car when I got home I was missing push-nuts and the like from the skirt below. I'd go to pay the cashier and I'd hear the sleezebag service writers dreaming up unnecessary procedures for me and other clients (most of which I'd pull aside later and tell them they were being sold BS). So, long story short I don't trust very many service outfits these days.

This post started because I have a credit at Advance Auto that I wish to burn off (rather than stache the card somewhere and lose it). If folks are changing their brakes sooner than later, I thought I'd go ahead and buy my pads now and stick them on the shelf for when the time would come. In the event there was data out there at this time, it would also be good reference information for me to have an expectation of when to change (I generally don't like to wait for the audible 'scraper's to talk to me in the event they are on these pads).

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[Wolfepack88]

So no one on this forum has replaced brakes on their '20-'22 Aviators yet, huh?

I have a 2020 and have not yet.

 

[Wolfepack88]

I just had an oil change and asked them to check brakes and they said they are still really good almost brand new. I find that hard to believe when they have 52,000 on them with this being such a heavy vehicle but the regenerative braking perhaps helps.

 

[inmanlanier]

I was about to ask another question but you answered it. Yes, I would assume the regenerative braking is more than a trite extension to brake pad life.

 

[inmanlanier]

Trying to kick-start this post again. Very few responses up until May of last year.

Any of you - have your replaced your brake pads (front/rear/both) yet and how many miles were on the car when you did so?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

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[tvanhall]

Dealer says pads still good at 56,000 miles, 2022 BL. No issues here.