The longer you live, the more you learn has struck again!

[Liptoss]

Well the longer you live, the more you learn has struck again with my 2013 Edge SEL FWD.

I changed the rear rotors and pads last year, or about 30,000 kms ago. I used all Ford parts purchased from a stealership. Actually better priced than Can Tire. Anyhow...one Ontario winter under the belt and I was forced to change them again last week. I'm not entirely certain as to why, and am only taking a guess here on this issue.

But, it looks like I'll be removing the rear calipres and pads to scuff clean the hanger bracket channels. It isn't enough to scuff clean the rust upon each brake job. I'll be forced each time I swap out summer to winter tyres and visa versa.

I specifically believe the channel that the stainless clips rest in becomes rusted and forced the clips into a position that binds the pads from effectively sliding, thus binding and seizing against the rotor. Initially I heard as a few squeaks, and then at speed dragged so much it glazed the pad and blued the rotor. It was more or less the outside, non-piston side of the caliper that refused to correctly float. Leading me to believe that being exposed, it must be receiving more road debris etc. Whatever it is, The rear rotors should not have needed to be changed so soon.

As for the squeaking, and the ridiculous "ANTI-SQUEAL/SQUEAK" mushrooms mounted by Ford on one of two caliber pins doesn't even do anything. Hack saw it off as far as I can see. Waste of cash to replace too, since they are about $45 CDN each!

Thanks again Ford!

[IWRBB]

Do you grease the slides and pads ears? I'll usually add some grease to the slide area with a small brush every time the tire is off as well.

Edited August 9, 2017 by IWRBB

[Tightanium]

So you blame Ford for harsh weather? Out here in California things don't rust up to bad. I guess it's like the glass half full or half empty thing. Anyway I'm not trying to be negative on you and understand your frustration but bad whether is rough on things and like IWRBB said maybe some grease would prolong the corrosion. That would be a pain dealing with brakes all the time. Plus the gas mileage probably suffers too.

[enigma-2]

I'm just guessing as to why you ran through pads at 18k miles, but it's possible that it was a combination of your winter and your driving and the automatic traction system or stability system. Those systems can really heat the brakes up while working properly. Often you never notice them.

 

Other possibilities include the proportioning valve and as you suggested, lack of grease on the tabs.

 

Usually it's the fronts that go first. How are the front pads?

[Liptoss]

Yes, clean up will include removing the cruddy grease and adding a small amount of fresh brake grease to ears and slides for certain. Front brakes are totally fine as I changed those within a month after the rears last summer.

My brother had similar issues with his 2002 Chevy Slap-A-Rado rear brakes. Every change over of tyres he would clean up and lube the system, and he never had problems again with rotors crapping out. Can't blame bad cast material anymore as you hear from others.

Ford makes good SH*T; some crap too though. Case in point: the latest Focus transmission issues. My 2008 Focus with timing chain was a bulletproof engine and transmission! The body sucked basically rotting out everywhere even with spray before each winter.

I digress, back to brakes.

I have observed MANY Edges of varying ages and driver styles over a period of time in parking lots I visit. NO, I'm not a stalker. I just learn through observation. What I see is that Edge rear brakes seem to be not holding up to the front twice to rear once formula.

CASE: A coworker of mine had a 2013 he purchased new. His rears brakes were changed at a stealership and lunched themselves within a year and a half. He then subsequently purchased a new 2017 Edge not long ago. I've now watched as over the past year, the rear rotors have begun to scored and crap themselves. It won't be long before the flaking sets in and the story is wrote. That's only one winter season of driving.

I've always been partial to drum brakes in northern climates where SO much salt/sand etc is thrown on the roads. My '08 Focus front brakes lasted for 225,000 kms (140 000 miles) with the rears only needing to be changed at 250,000 kms (155 000 miles). The rears would have gone longer but because the emergency brake cable froze/seized during a bad damp wet winter flash freeze, that hung the shoes, smoking a drum.

Am I angry. Nope. I don't get angry. I simply observe and adjust. I develop what I need to make stuff work.

What I'll need to do is clean and re-lube yearly for these brakes. Lucky I enjoy wrenching for myself.

[macbwt]

I have advocated a once a year brake maintenance and cleaning. I also sand blast the caliper brackets then when installing the clips place a liberal amount of CRC ceramic brake grease on the brackets and on the clips also. This has proven to be trouble free braking for me in Iowa where salt is also used on the roads. Not doing brake maintenance every year will result in some bad wear. I also use High carbon content rotors and ceramic brake pads.

[Liptoss]

Hey! Great advice! Yup. I'll be adding aspects of your regime to my next tire swap.

[akirby]

Once a year - so that translates to what - 100,000 miles?

[macbwt]

Once a year - so that translates to what - 100,000 miles?

More or less. LOL

[enigma-2]

Air miles. Each air mile is equal to 7 ground miles.

Edited August 13, 2017 by enigma-2

[Liptoss]

UPDATE:

So, I had "tore" things down when I swapped over the summer tyres for winters last October. I checked the pins for good float, removed the clips and scrapped and greased under them. I then greased the clips and pad tabs and fully reassembled the rear brakes. The fronts were observed to be just fine.

A couple of days ago, I begin hearing a click from the back end when I applied the brakes for he first time after sitting over night or longer period. I also hear a metallic wiping sound as I drive for a short period. Hmmmm... brakes?

I assume it's the brakes since when I apply the brakes it disappears. Ahhh!

I remove the rear winter tyres and observe that the outside drivers lower hanger bracket clip has slid partially our of the bracket channel. Grrrr!

It seems the inner fold over tab to prevent this has rusted or fell off and allows this to occur. That's not all! The upper outside clip is totally missing! That's what's gone on here! One missing and one slipping out stainless clip has allowed the pad to float loosely in the hanger bracket channel. Click-click. It also easily moves and rubs against the rotor as the vehicle rolls forward.

I called Ford parts knowing full well they don't offer just the stainless clips. Shiny stainless Ford clips ONLY are available when a full set of pads are purchased.

FORGET that! My pads have loads of meat not them and are wearing well. Off to Canadian Tire I go. They have the clips. The aftermarket units I end up installing are made by Carlson. The box contains 8 clips along with 4 gator boots for the slide pins. Cost was $11.99 plus tax. I installed the new clips with a bit of maintenance as I posted above and the job is complete.

What I find interesting about these Carlson clips is that they seem to be painted or coated with black. Is this just paint or is it a teflon type lubric I don't know for certain, but they didn't allow me to easily keep the pad tabs in place as I put all the items together and bolted them on. I have a good feeling about these clips. I'll be checking the wear on them in another month or so when the winter tyres are taken off. If there wear well, I'll be making it a consumable item that I put into this yearly procedure in maintaining the brakes on my 2013 Edge. Another small price to pay to make poor design work better. I'm crossing my fingers.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Edited March 22, 2018 by Liptoss