2020 Ranger Rear Pad/Rotor Replacement Notes (Quality is job....whatever)

[ctechbob]

At 58,000 miles I couldn't stand the shudder from the rear of the truck when under braking while towing. It isn't uncommon for these trucks to have rear brake problems, and I had them.

The job is a pretty standard rotor/pad replace with the parking brake type calipers. A few things I noted on my rust-free southern truck.

Also, I'm sure Ford calls all of the bolts one-time-use, but I didn't. I cleaned mine up and reapplied blue loctite.

- If you don't have an impact that can fit to take the caliper bolts off, you might have to gently heat them (Red Loctite)
- It took me a really long time to wind the pistons back into the caliper. (Helpful tip, mark the position of the notch with a paint pen, will make it far easier to line up the piston)
- The direction you need to wind the piston is cast into the factory caliper.

Some pics of the rotors. It really looks more like pad deposits than anything, at least not cracks. Who knows, be it the rotors or the pad material, they're junk. They also squeal like crazy when cold, so hopefully the 'quiet' in the quietcasts will work. The front will be getting Z36 Powerstop pads eventually, but right now the front is fine, so I don't want to replace those.

Replacement parts were Bosch Quietcast pads and Centric rotors.

 

[MParr]

I’ve never seen anything like that.
I don’t understand why truck manufacturers use ceramic brake pads. Semi-metallic pads will replace the OE pads on my F-150.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I’ve never seen anything like that.
I don’t understand why truck manufacturers use ceramic brake pads. Semi-metallic pads will replace the OE pads on my F-150.

Dust?

 

[ctechbob]

My guess is dust and noise. Can't have people coming back to the dealer for minor problems like that. I'll sacrifice dust every day of the week for good pedal feel and good hot temp performance.

 

[MParr]

Dust?

I don’t care about a little dust on my wheels. I need to be able to stop in a reasonable distance.

 

[MParr]

My guess is dust and noise. Can't have people coming back to the dealer for minor problems like that. I'll sacrifice dust every day of the week for good pedal feel and good hot temp performance.

Yep! The pedal feel is horrible in my F-150. When it’s time, semi-metallics are going on all around.

 

[ctechbob]

Yep! The pedal feel is horrible in my F-150. When it’s time, semi-metallics are going on all around.

I was going to do the Bosch Quietcasts all around, which is why I had them on hand. I've since decided that I'd go ahead and use the QC's in the rear and get some PowerStop Z36's for the front when the time comes. Seems like they're a little better regarded for heavy use.

 

[bullwinkle]

At 58,000 miles I couldn't stand the shudder from the rear of the truck when under braking while towing. It isn't uncommon for these trucks to have rear brake problems, and I had them.

The job is a pretty standard rotor/pad replace with the parking brake type calipers. A few things I noted on my rust-free southern truck.

Also, I'm sure Ford calls all of the bolts one-time-use, but I didn't. I cleaned mine up and reapplied blue loctite.

- If you don't have an impact that can fit to take the caliper bolts off, you might have to gently heat them (Red Loctite)
- It took me a really long time to wind the pistons back into the caliper. (Helpful tip, mark the position of the notch with a paint pen, will make it far easier to line up the piston)
- The direction you need to wind the piston is cast into the factory caliper.

Some pics of the rotors. It really looks more like pad deposits than anything, at least not cracks. Who knows, be it the rotors or the pad material, they're junk. They also squeal like crazy when cold, so hopefully the 'quiet' in the quietcasts will work. The front will be getting Z36 Powerstop pads eventually, but right now the front is fine, so I don't want to replace those.

Replacement parts were Bosch Quietcast pads and Centric rotors.

View attachment 239857

View attachment 239858

View attachment 239859

View attachment 239860

View attachment 239861View attachment 239862

That is crazy-do those lines line up with the fins?? Almost looks like they're cracking!

 

[ctechbob]

I'd have to dig them back out of the recycle bin, but I think the fins are on an angle.

 

[ctechbob]

That is crazy-do those lines line up with the fins?? Almost looks like they're cracking!

Pulled one out of the recycle bin. The 'cracks' really don't appear to line up with anything in particular. Some are near a vane, others not.

When I was daily driving the Accord the wife has, I'd replace the front rotors every set of pads. Heavy car, under braked, and I drove it like a moron, so I paid the price in pads and rotors. Never had anything that looked like these. Certainly not on the rear of a vehicle.

Bad material? Crap pads? Who knows. Be willing to bet the aftermarket stuff doesn't do it. We'll see in short order, we're leaving for a weekend mountain trip next weekend with the camper, so the brakes will get their workout.

 

[MParr]

I was going to do the Bosch Quietcasts all around, which is why I had them on hand. I've since decided that I'd go ahead and use the QC's in the rear and get some PowerStop Z36's for the front when the time comes. Seems like they're a little better regarded for heavy use.

If they don’t work out for you, you can always splurge on some Bendix Fleet Metlock.

 

[ctechbob]

If they don’t work out for you, you can always splurge on some Bendix Fleet Metlock.

Other than the rear end hopping like it was all jacked up on Mt. Dew, the factory pads actually worked pretty well for towing. They did everything I needed them to, but I just can't see going back to Motorcraft for the fronts now because...

Well, because...

They are a little vague on tip in I suppose, so we'll see what happens with the next set. They are wearing like iron though, probably still have well over 1/3 left on them.

 

[ctechbob]

If they don’t work out for you, you can always splurge on some Bendix Fleet Metlock.

Actually, not much of a splurge, they're near as makes no difference the same price as the powerstops.

Have you used those before? Always up to try something.

 

[MParr]

Actually, not much of a splurge, they're near as makes no difference the same price as the powerstops.

Have you used those before? Always up to try something.

View attachment 239900

I installed a set of similar Motorcraft Super Duty Pads on a 2014 F-150. You would not believe the improvement.
Those semi-metallic severe duty brakes are a big benefit for towing and hauling.

 

[ctechbob]

I installed a set of similar Motorcraft Super Duty Pads on a 2014 F-150. You would not believe the improvement.
Those semi-metallic severe duty brakes are a big benefit for towing and hauling.

I ended up ordering a set. Probably replace the pads and rotors on the front some time this winter. I still have plenty of pad on the front and no issues, but I'm coming up on a fluid flush, and we've got a heavy towing schedule next year, so I might as well go ahead and do it.

 

[meep]

While they were considered to be good pads, the Element3 pads and fresh fluid transformed my F150. I tried hawk LTS and loved the feel and grip but the dusting was spectacularly bad. The element3 grab long before the pedal gets pressed in deep and communicate well at the pedal. The bite is good and was the favorite of all when we were towing. However, I’ve abandoned the pads after a few blown brake jobs with them this year.

A close second might be the akebono ASP pads, which are GG rated, though they have a bit of the typical akebono pine-block feel to them.

 

[edyvw]

I’ve never seen anything like that.
I don’t understand why truck manufacturers use ceramic brake pads. Semi-metallic pads will replace the OE pads on my F-150.

Very simple:
1. Dust. Looks basically.
2. Extreme heat performance. Ceramics (cheap ones, found on appliance vehicles not BMW M3) have fairly acceptable performance when cold. Under extreme heat, they still keep decent performance. Why is that important? Because most people ride their brakes and manufacturers understand that is an issue. Ceramics in those cases are bit better than semi-metallic. Of course, there are systems that can deliver excellent at the limit performance with semi-metallic, but that usually involves more complex brake cooling, larger rotors, pads etc. So you can have relatively smaller pads and rotors (important bcs. unsprung weight=mpg) and get decent (not excellent) performance.
Disclaimer: i absolutely hate those ceramic brakes.

 

[The Critic]

Be willing to bet the aftermarket stuff doesn't do it.

Best of luck. Aftermarket friction in recent years has been utter garbage. Your experience may vary.

 

[ctechbob]

If they don’t work out for you, you can always splurge on some Bendix Fleet Metlock.

Installed the Metlocks a few weeks ago. They were great driving around, good initial bite, just like I like them. They are just a smidge wooden on the first stop on a cold day, but it only takes a very minor stop to put enough heat in the system that they're fine.

Got to tow with them this weekend, they perform great. Much better than the Motorcrafts, thanks for the recommendation!

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Very simple:
1. Dust. Looks basically.
2. Extreme heat performance. Ceramics (cheap ones, found on appliance vehicles not BMW M3) have fairly acceptable performance when cold. Under extreme heat, they still keep decent performance. Why is that important? Because most people ride their brakes and manufacturers understand that is an issue. Ceramics in those cases are bit better than semi-metallic. Of course, there are systems that can deliver excellent at the limit performance with semi-metallic, but that usually involves more complex brake cooling, larger rotors, pads etc. So you can have relatively smaller pads and rotors (important bcs. unsprung weight=mpg) and get decent (not excellent) performance.
Disclaimer: i absolutely hate those ceramic brakes.

Nothing wrong with riding the brakes in the rust belt. Here some days you kind of have to to stay facing the correct direction while moving forward.
Going downhill in the blue ridge mountaints? Not so much.