2010 premature rear brake pad wear

[akirby]

Just had to change rear brakes on the Edge - the fronts were still fine after 55K. It's becoming more common for the rears to wear faster.

[jeff_h]

Just had to change rear brakes on the Edge - the fronts were still fine after 55K. It's becoming more common for the rears to wear faster.

 

Yep, this is what happened on wife's Escape Hybrid when it had 60k, took it for inspection and they said rear brakes were toast, I got pissed and thought they were just trying to rip me off, said put the wheels back on I will take it back and check it myself. Turned out the fronts were fine but the rear pads were indeed down to nothing, so I changed them myself and had to eat crow (good thing I only thought they were ripping me off and didn't openly accuse them of it, but I'm sure they figured it) and take it back to get the inspection re-done and then all was good.

[RRWolfman]

I'd be curious to know if you guys with premature rear pad wear use your parking brakes a lot (like on a daily basis or if you drive a stick). The parking brake actuates the rear adjustors and will "tighten up" the pad gap. I know after applying and releasing the parking brake on my car the rear calipers are no longer slightly loose afterwards. I don't know if this will significantly affect wear or not. It could also be a function of how the electronic brake force distribution (EBD) system is programed.

I never use my parking brake. My 2010 Fusion SE (48,000 miles) was just in the shop (10/2/13) for a frozen left rear brake caliper.

 

And I have a question in return: my dealer sold me something called a "BG" brake flush which, for $60, covers me for up to $2000 of brake repairs. Do you think "BG Products Inc." of Wichita, Kansas will honor a claim?

 

And one more thing: how did it happen so fast? The caliper frozen and pads worn down to the metal at 48,000 but the dealer graded the brake condition "green" ("the pads are okay") when I had it in at 40,000 miles?

[RRWolfman]

I've always suspected EBD since early on in this thread. Honestly, I think it's a combination of factors causing premature wear that might be different in each case: stuck caliper slides, frozen/unevenly adjusted parking brake cables, improper brake usage, and EBD.

 

Checking caliper slides is a good idea a 1-2 times a year (when you rotate tires). Testing for dragging brakes is really easy. Just jack up the back of the car and spin the wheels. If they don't spin easily, then bingo. I know jacking up a car is too much for most people on here, but I'll just put it out there anyway for the few that would care to check and prevent future problems.

1-2 times a year wouldn't have made any difference - my car was fine (service rating was GREEN "the pads are okay") when serviced in April 4, 2013, then had left rear pad worn down to the metal and caliper frozen when service 10/2/13.

[brutus143]

Our company cars a Fusions. I have had a 2010, 2011 and 2012 all 60kmi + miles on original brakes with plenty left. My coworker had 75kmi with pad left.

[AndyT]

Im right around 40k and still on original pads and rotors. My rear rotors were cut about 2k miles ago, and the slides lubed. Pads are at about 4mm, so nearing replacement time. Fronts were at about 6mm if I remember correctly. Hopefully they'll all last until tax time, and I'll just replace all pads and rotors.

[Bwildr]

Back in January, I had to replace both my back pads and rotors due to premature pad wear and damage. At the time the can only had roughly 30k on the odometer, I am the second owner, first was an middle aged male who didn't beat on it. Either way, I found it so odd that the back brakes were worn so thin to the point of rotor damage at such low mileage and considering the front brakes take majority of the beating when braking. $400 later and I had a new set of rotors and pads. Now 11 months later, my back driver's side brakes are screeching again!!! I do not beat on my brakes whatsoever, so I have no clue what is causing the premature wear. Worst part of it all is, I can't take the car in for repairs for a few more days due to being away at school and the shop that did the brake job is back home, so my rotor is probably going to have to be replaced again... At least they're under warranty.

Edited December 10, 2013 by Bwildr

[akirby]

Screeching doesn't necessarily mean premature wear. And rear brakes are wearing faster now on new cars due to stability control and other software changes.

[awaisrauf]

Hi,

 

I just wanted to put my 2 cents in. I have a 2010 4 cyl SEL front whell drive. At the 45,000km (28,000 miles) my rear brake pads had to be replaced. when I asked why the rear pads wore out before the front (since all the weight and breaking force are on the front), I was told that its just the way the cars designed. I was told I'd have to replace the back breaks twice before the front breaks. I just got to the 91,000km mark (56,500 miles) and again have had to replace my rear brakes. Still havent touched the front breaks. When I asked again why the back brakes wore out first, I was told basically that they wear out first because they get used less. apparently rust builds up on the rotors and because the brakes dont engage that often (only in extreme breaking conditions) the rust unevely wears out the pads and wears them out faster. I was also told the back pads are thinner than the front pads.

 

I was just wondering if this explanation made sense to anyone else? I dont understand how something that doesnt get used too often gets worn out quicker because its not used. From what I understand the pads are designed to contact the metal of the rotors which is harder than any rust on the rotors, so I dont get how rust wears the pad out more than the rotors.

 

Thanks for any input you guys have.

[akirby]

Please please please don't say "breaks" - it drives me crazy.

 

The rear brakes wear out because they're used more than the fronts now. With 4 channel ABS and electronic brake distribution and control the mfrs have dialed in more rear brake bias for whatever reason. It's not because they're used less - that's ridiculous.

[bbf2530]

Please please please don't say "breaks" - it drives me crazy.

 

The rear brakes wear out because they're used more than the fronts now. With 4 channel ABS and electronic brake distribution and control the mfrs have dialed in more rear brake bias for whatever reason. It's not because they're used less - that's ridiculous.

 

 

Hi,

 

I just wanted to put my 2 cents in. I have a 2010 4 cyl SEL front whell drive. At the 45,000km (28,000 miles) my rear brake pads had to be replaced. when I asked why the rear pads wore out before the front (since all the weight and breaking force are on the front), I was told that its just the way the cars designed. I was told I'd have to replace the back breaks twice before the front breaks. I just got to the 91,000km mark (56,500 miles) and again have had to replace my rear brakes. Still havent touched the front breaks. When I asked again why the back brakes wore out first, I was told basically that they wear out first because they get used less. apparently rust builds up on the rotors and because the brakes dont engage that often (only in extreme breaking conditions) the rust unevely wears out the pads and wears them out faster. I was also told the back pads are thinner than the front pads.

 

I was just wondering if this explanation made sense to anyone else? I dont understand how something that doesnt get used too often gets worn out quicker because its not used. From what I understand the pads are designed to contact the metal of the rotors which is harder than any rust on the rotors, so I dont get how rust wears the pad out more than the rotors.

 

Thanks for any input you guys have.

 

Hi awaisrauf. What akirby stated! In the same line of thought, I would also add that although stability control and other electronic driving aids mean the rear brakes are used used more and therefore wear faster, manufacturers are still using much smaller rotors pads in the rear than the front, just as in the "old days". This means that the rear pads wear even faster, since the rear brakes have not yet been completely upgraded to handle the increased load.

 

We are just now beginning to see the manufacturers upgrade the rear braking systems to handle the increased workload on modern vehicles.

 

Good luck.

[Big Jim]

Hi,

 

I just wanted to put my 2 cents in. I have a 2010 4 cyl SEL front whell drive. At the 45,000km (28,000 miles) my rear brake pads had to be replaced. when I asked why the rear pads wore out before the front (since all the weight and breaking force are on the front), I was told that its just the way the cars designed. I was told I'd have to replace the back breaks twice before the front breaks. I just got to the 91,000km mark (56,500 miles) and again have had to replace my rear brakes. Still havent touched the front breaks. When I asked again why the back brakes wore out first, I was told basically that they wear out first because they get used less. apparently rust builds up on the rotors and because the brakes dont engage that often (only in extreme breaking conditions) the rust unevely wears out the pads and wears them out faster. I was also told the back pads are thinner than the front pads.

 

I was just wondering if this explanation made sense to anyone else? I dont understand how something that doesnt get used too often gets worn out quicker because its not used. From what I understand the pads are designed to contact the metal of the rotors which is harder than any rust on the rotors, so I dont get how rust wears the pad out more than the rotors.

 

Thanks for any input you guys have.

What a load of BS. Spoken like someone that feels they have to provide an answer when they have no idea what they are talking about.

 

I can pass on to you, as I have many times before, driving habits have some effect on this, as some identical cars but different drivers, don't go through rear rotors faster than fronts.

 

From my own observations, when road testing with customers that have had the rear pre-mature wear issue, if there is even the slightest bit of riding the brakes, you may have this problem. A more conscience effort to stay off the brakes may make the difference.

 

I'm one of the driver's that doesn't have the problem.

[2011se25]

What a load of BS. Spoken like someone that feels they have to provide an answer when they have no idea what they are talking about.

 

I can pass on to you, as I have many times before, driving habits have some effect on this, as some identical cars but different drivers, don't go through rear rotors faster than fronts.

 

From my own observations, when road testing with customers that have had the rear pre-mature wear issue, if there is even the slightest bit of riding the brakes, you may have this problem. A more conscience effort to stay off the brakes may make the difference.

 

I'm one of the driver's that doesn't have the problem.

 

Hi BigJim,

 

You don't mention your region but I've seen more people in northern regions subjected to to more salt / corrosion see more premature rear brake failure. I've seen several people suggest an annual lubrication of the rear sliders help this. Myself, my first set of rear pads and discs were worn out and replaced at 30,000km, and at 60,000km the replacement rears were close to being worn out again, while the factory fronts are nearly brand new. My driving for the life of the car has been largely highway / rural, with a little suburban, and a small amount of city driving. I've also stopped using the parking brake to rule that out. As far as driving habits, I do not ride the brakes, I only drive with my right foot, and when coming up to a red light (for example), rather than a gradual brake, I'll idle closer to the light, then apply the brakes firmer. To the point that people notice this as being "agressive".

 

Firmer stops, and no parking brake have no real impact on this issue.

 

Also it sounds like awaisrauf isn't trying to provide an "answer" but rather providing anidotal evidence. By listing the brake service intervals in km, it sounds like awaisrauf is probably another Candian, and subject to rusty winters as well.

Edited January 7, 2014 by 2011se25

[akirby]

Big Jim was referring to the tech that said it was due to rus building up on the rotors.

[jb124]

My rear brake pads wore out way before my front ones on all of my previous cars except for my current Fusion. I figured out that it was because I extensively used engine braking with the manual transmissions on my previous cars but my current one is an auto. Is yours a manual?

[akirby]

My rear brake pads wore out way before my front ones on all of my previous cars except for my current Fusion. I figured out that it was because I extensively used engine braking with the manual transmissions on my previous cars but my current one is an auto. Is yours a manual?

 

Has nothing to do with it. It's just the way the new 4 channel ABS braking systems work now.

[holler1]

An old thread but a very good one. I have a 2008 Fusion SE AWD, now with 130,000 miles, and just joined the forum. Like many others, apparently, I have had problems with the brakes. Other than a rusted-out transmission oil cooler line that I had to replace around 100K, I have had no other problems with the Fusion, and I consider it a very good car. I've had a number of Ford vehicles, and this is the best one.

 

The brake problems started when my rear pads wore out at 16k miles. The wearing was more on the inner pads. The dealer replaced them under warranty and lubed the calipers. They thought lack of lubrication was the problem. I replaced the pads again, not sure of the mileage. Around 50 or 60K, as I recall, I replaced the pads again, and decided to take a look at the rotors. The rotors were really rough on the inboard sides, with large grooves and cracks, not in the direction of wear. I'm sure now the rotors were defective from the beginning, but the dealer apparently never checked them. I replaced the rotors and pads. Meanwhile, the front brakes always had some vibration during hard braking, especially downhill, and that gradually got worse. I replaced the front rotors myself, and they have been OK until just recently, with the vibration starting again, but not too bad. What I consider the worst issue is that the rear brakes have been getting overheated. Somewhere around 100K I started noticing heat coming from the rear wheel area, and started checking temps after driving. The car also seemed sluggish, needing more rpms to accelerate. The rear wheels were getting much hotter than the fronts, which I consider abnormal. When I removed the pads the last time, I noticed they were really tight against the rotors. Part of this was that the sides of the pads were a little too tight in the caliper. I filed some material off the pad ends, and lubed the caliper slides and the sides of the pads really well. Since then the car is driving and responding better. However, my feeling is that the system that tightens the pads against the rotors is over-adjusting, and/or the springs that are supposed to keep it from getting too tight are not working. I use the hand brake all the time, since I park on a slope. I haven't checked temps in the last few weeks, but the car is seeming a little less responsive lately, so I think I need to start doing that again. I would advise everyone who has one of these cars to get a cheap infrared temp monitor and check their wheel temps occasionally. I consider this overheating and the rapid rear pad wear out to be due to poor brake design. The pad wear out is just a nuisance, but the overheating could be dangerous.

Edited September 10, 2014 by holler1