Premature wearing of Brake Disc and Pads

Drifta on 01/12/2014 - 20:42

A few months ago got my 2012 Ford Focus serviced at 27000Ks, from memory I think thats its 2nd or 3rd service and for a 1000ks or so before I had it serviced the car was making screeching noises.
Had the Ford guys at New Oak Ford in Fentree Gully (now Chadstone Ford) look at it while it was there for servicing and was told both the front and rear brake pads and Discs need to be replaced, the rear ones can probably wait till next service but fronts cant.
Complained that this is premature wear and tear and even though it is a consumable it should be covered under warranty. They practically said no, too bad.
Spoke with head office and had the same response. The ACCC suggested if I want to take this further I will need a 3rd party mechanic to write a statement agreeing that this is premature.

Do I have any chance of proving that they perhaps used softer brake pads on this model or had a faulty batch etc? Recently also had to get the clutch shudder fixed (under warranty luckily) as a seal was leaking hydraulic fluid. They sent a letter out for it after complaining for ages. Could it be related?

Would appreciate any mechanics out there or experienced guys giving me their thoughts on this.
The Car is not driven like a race car, just the usual work commute and free way use.

Automotive

Comments

  • dylanando on 01/12/2014 - 21:32
    +3

    Looks at your username.. then reads

    The Car is not driven like a race car

    • Drifta on 01/12/2014 - 21:58
      +2

      Touche` - The username is from my online gaming (NFS) days as a teen.

      In seriousness though, this is mainly driven by my mum and I find it hard to believe a brand new car, has not only the pads (somewhat understandable) but the Disc replaced as well at 27000Ks

      • dylanando on 01/12/2014 - 22:04
        +2

        If i was you, i really wouldnt bother, id just pay and get some new ones, at least this time you know there good ;), defiantly go to a local mechanic instead of ford.

  • Cheeper on 01/12/2014 - 22:14

    Just read on another forum that german made focus's usually have softer pads and are obvious by the amount of brake dust around the wheels. Another owner of a much older focus also had to do pads at 30k…
    I have read that a lot of European cars these days have to have pad and rotor replacements at low k's so it is not uncommon.
    I would just get some decent pads fitted and see how they last. Go to local mechanic as mentioned above unless you want to fit them yourself? Easy job.. just pump the pedal a few times to release any booster pressure, loosen the fluid reservoir cap and watch out for any excess fluid causing it to overflow.
    I find repco pads to be fine for everyday use.

  • ferguscan on 01/12/2014 - 23:45

    Pads and discs are cheap. Do you research, and buy some good quality ones on rockauto.com

    Quality is more important for pads than for discs (as long as the brand is reputable, discs are all basically the same).

    Then get a reputable mechanic (not the dealer) to fit them.

    Footnote: I doubt the discs need replacing. They last a very long time. My BMW has done over 200k, and I think it's still on the original discs. Ask the dealer what the current thickness of the discs are. Then find the minimum spec on the Internet.

  • Kkuba on 02/12/2014 - 12:36

    A lot of Euro cars are the same. Sorry to say.

    Mum had a first gen Focus, pads and rotors gone (with a ghastly grinding noise upon brake application) after 33,000km. I had to change them for her, they were rooted.

    They have higher freeway speeds there (eg. autobahns), which require some better performing brakes, this is easily achieved by using very soft and aggressive pads. As they are both soft and aggressive, the pads wear down quickly, as do the rotors.

    A tip: replace with Australian made parts, and they will last longer. If you replace with genuine Ford parts, you may find the same problem after another 30,000km. The only reason I say "may" is because the current Focus is built in Thailand, I would think they would use a different spec of pad. Which of the two you would be provided with (German to suit what the car came with or Thai as they might be importing parts from a different, closer supplier), I can't say. I suppose you could ask the dealer.

    My guess would be that you would be provided with the German parts, as the ESP system would be tuned to that, so dealership would do everything to maintain the correct parameters of the system. Don't worry too much about messing with these parameters though. Changing tyres to non-OEM will have a similar effect, and it will be marginal at most.

  • snajper on 04/12/2014 - 22:11

    i had similar problem with my honda accord.. new rear brakes at 25k, 48k and 65k. genuine honda pads were too soft. replaced with another brand and 50k later still 60% left.

  • JimB on 05/12/2014 - 14:33

    Not all Euro cars are the same, however how you drive is a big factor also.

    My MkV Golf GTI, 90% city KMs. Car has done 104,000km.

    I replaced the rear discs and pads at 90k

    Front brakes are still original, however I will change them soon at the 105k service.. I may be pushing it to reach 120k, so I will change it slightly early while at the next service.

    I have/will replace the brakes with DBA discs and Remsa Pads.

    Get a quote from Brakesdirect.com.au reasonable prices and good products ( I know DBA rotors aren't the best, but they will be replaced at the same time as the pads anyway).

    PS, if crappy brakes last 100,000km and good brakes last 40,000km. I'd take the later option (Fortunately my GTI has great brakes and wears very well too- large brakes and light car, pity about the brake dust).

  • Drifta on 05/12/2014 - 20:57

    Thanks everyone for your replies. Given it was a safety issue I have already had the dealer replace the pads and rotor but clearly told him I would be pursuing a warranty claim on it and have written on the records that I have done this as it is a safety issue.
    I am confident that they have used very soft pads but find it so weird that the rotor needed replacing too.
    Going to try my luck getting a mechanic to agree that this is not how the car should be designed at they (ford) can't expect a general driver to fork out 1.2k in replacing both front and rear pads and rotors every 2 services. Or if it is meant to be this way they should have specified it when purchasing the vehicle.
    Had I known this would never had bought the Focus. In fact my experience with Ford has put me off Fords for good.

    This is the German made model so I guess the design for autobarn speeds and softer pads makes sense for use locally in Germany but obviously doesn't work here. Not happy with it at all.

    Even with the new pads and rotors when you park your car and take your foot of the break there is this squeaking noise (which I'm guessing is to do with the pads, though i don't really know)

    Unfortunately I don't know enough about cars to be able to do the job myself as much as I would love too, am slowly learning a few things though, so perhaps down the line will be able too.

    Really surprised to hear others having to replace their pads and rotors prematurely.

    Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and advice.

    This issue with the clutch hydraulic fluid leak issue has all given me a shit experience with buying my first NEW vehicle.

  • kronicmacstigator on 06/12/2014 - 22:19

    RDA rotors/EBC Ultimax pads is where it's at, I can knock off most cars with a pad+rotor combo for about $250 (excluding labour).

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