Brake installation Questions - The Ford Focus Forum

**GrndZero** · 10-23-2009, 08:08 PM

I was going to order some EBC red stuff ceramic pads with some centric disc's and was curious how hard it was to install them. I have become pretty prone to diy things on my car in the last couple years and would like to do this myself. Do I need really specific tools or any kind of calibration equipment or is it pretty straight and forward?
I would love to maybe see some faq's or install guides if so.
If its is pretty intensive, it might just better to take it somewhere. Only problem is I do not know if taking them some place I will like their choices of what I can install.
One set of pads and 2 disc's look like its going to be around 167 with shipping. Does that sound good or too expensive. I found this thru a page called Racepages.com

**Lancer211** · 10-23-2009, 09:11 PM

Why are you using red stuff??

**GrndZero** · 10-24-2009, 02:02 AM

Dont know. They are ceramic and the same maker as the green ones everyone is talking about.

**getn2focus** · 10-25-2009, 07:46 AM

I personally believe that if you have any decent mechanical skills, then you should be able to change the brake pads/discs. It's pretty simple and straight forward. Just pay attention when pulling things apart.

**GrndZero** · 10-25-2009, 09:47 AM

Yeah I found a couple faq's online, looks pretty easy.

**brads03zx3** · 10-25-2009, 10:45 AM

Stay away from the red stuff, and anything that EBC makes for the focus (except rotors, they are okay).

Changing brakes is not too bad, but it is kind of important you get it right. It's hard to stop without them. I'd suggest a motorcraft OE replacement for strictly DD, Hawk HPS pad for DD/autocross, HP+ for somebody who tracks occasionally, and swap at the track to a Hawk Blue or Carbotech XP8 if one tracks often.

**DisrupTer911** · 10-29-2009, 01:52 PM

you need either a piston pusher or a c-clamp to push the front pistons back into the caliper. if you've got rear disks, you need one of those square piston screw things to screw it back into the caliper.

you'll also need a 7 or 8 mm hex head socket to remove the caliper retaining bolts.
a coat hanger to bend into a hook to hold teh caliper to something while you change the rotor.

appropriate 1/2" sized socket to remove and reinstall wheels, a tq wrench to properly put things back together.

and remove the reservoir cap to let the fluid push back up and release air bubbles that may form.

remember to pump the brakes several times after reinstall before you start driving hard and bed the pads in.

**GrndZero** · 10-29-2009, 05:55 PM

Thanks for the info. I will check on the hex sockets. I will only be doing the fronts. Tires are on my list first though.

**OmniFocus** · 10-29-2009, 07:00 PM

Definitely don't get the EBC Red pads. The first time you rear-end somebody with cold pads, you'll be bummed.

**racer1735** · 10-29-2009, 08:17 PM

As mentioned earlier, dont' get Red pads... you'll wonder why your brakes don't seem to work. Hawk, or Green are the way to go. You'll really like Centric rotors.

Installation is straightforward for anyone with decent mechanical skills. Hardest part for both front and rear is getting the danged spring clip back on without scratching everything up.

While you're at it, you might consider painting your calipers...

10-23-2009, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
GrndZero Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fayetteville NC Posts: 1,464	Brake installation Questions I was going to order some EBC red stuff ceramic pads with some centric disc's and was curious how hard it was to install them. I have become pretty prone to diy things on my car in the last couple years and would like to do this myself. Do I need really specific tools or any kind of calibration equipment or is it pretty straight and forward? I would love to maybe see some faq's or install guides if so. If its is pretty intensive, it might just better to take it somewhere. Only problem is I do not know if taking them some place I will like their choices of what I can install. One set of pads and 2 disc's look like its going to be around 167 with shipping. Does that sound good or too expensive. I found this thru a page called Racepages.com __________________ Ma Focus

10-23-2009, 09:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lancer211 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,342	Re: Brake installation Questions Why are you using red stuff?? __________________ For sale: Eibach Pro-Kit springs, sedan taillight, lower grille, DPFE, EVR, MAFS, side markers, trunk handle, fuel door, gas pedal, headlight switch, AC/vent/defrost button, hazard switch, ashtray, silver console bezel, HVAC controls. 2004 infrared Focus SE Zetec ATX sedan "Ruby" CarDomain Page

10-24-2009, 02:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
GrndZero Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fayetteville NC Posts: 1,464	Re: Brake installation Questions Dont know. They are ceramic and the same maker as the green ones everyone is talking about. __________________ Ma Focus

10-25-2009, 07:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
getn2focus TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid TN Posts: 561	Re: Brake installation Questions I personally believe that if you have any decent mechanical skills, then you should be able to change the brake pads/discs. It's pretty simple and straight forward. Just pay attention when pulling things apart. __________________ *Black 2003 SVTF* >>> E Prep Auto-X monster** What to do when you roll a rental car in an auto-x? "You quickly roll/tow/carry it onto a public road and THEN call the rental agency." -- GtnMaZumOn

10-25-2009, 09:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
GrndZero Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fayetteville NC Posts: 1,464	Re: Brake installation Questions Yeah I found a couple faq's online, looks pretty easy. __________________ Ma Focus

10-25-2009, 10:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
brads03zx3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 11,661	Re: Brake installation Questions Stay away from the red stuff, and anything that EBC makes for the focus (except rotors, they are okay). Changing brakes is not too bad, but it is kind of important you get it right. It's hard to stop without them. I'd suggest a motorcraft OE replacement for strictly DD, Hawk HPS pad for DD/autocross, HP+ for somebody who tracks occasionally, and swap at the track to a Hawk Blue or Carbotech XP8 if one tracks often. __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec ZX3 vs MNTN - 15-1 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 23/1 *JCM Racing #88* Back to Dual Purpose Focusing Vacuum Vulture Racing - We add stiffness

10-29-2009, 01:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
DisrupTer911 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey Posts: 15,205	Re: Brake installation Questions you need either a piston pusher or a c-clamp to push the front pistons back into the caliper. if you've got rear disks, you need one of those square piston screw things to screw it back into the caliper. you'll also need a 7 or 8 mm hex head socket to remove the caliper retaining bolts. a coat hanger to bend into a hook to hold teh caliper to something while you change the rotor. appropriate 1/2" sized socket to remove and reinstall wheels, a tq wrench to properly put things back together. and remove the reservoir cap to let the fluid push back up and release air bubbles that may form. remember to pump the brakes several times after reinstall before you start driving hard and bed the pads in. __________________ 2009 Ice White R-Design Volvo C30 : Strictly \| Focused myFlickr : Canon : Sigma : Tamron : Induro : Domke [FJ] \| Sponsors \| Store \| Guidelines \| Ext. How-To \| Int. How-To \| Mid-Atlantic \| [FJ]

10-29-2009, 05:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
GrndZero Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fayetteville NC Posts: 1,464	Re: Brake installation Questions Thanks for the info. I will check on the hex sockets. I will only be doing the fronts. Tires are on my list first though. __________________ Ma Focus

10-29-2009, 07:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 29,403	Re: Brake installation Questions Definitely don't get the EBC Red pads. The first time you rear-end somebody with cold pads, you'll be bummed. __________________ Vacuum Vulture Racing: The masters of ape latexing.

10-29-2009, 08:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
racer1735 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 91	Re: Brake installation Questions As mentioned earlier, dont' get Red pads... you'll wonder why your brakes don't seem to work. Hawk, or Green are the way to go. You'll really like Centric rotors. Installation is straightforward for anyone with decent mechanical skills. Hardest part for both front and rear is getting the danged spring clip back on without scratching everything up. While you're at it, you might consider painting your calipers... __________________ - If you've run out of mods, it's time to buy something new - 2004 Sonic Blue ZX5 SVT; FS Cool-Flo, FR Plug Wires, VF Rear Mount, FR Short Throw shifter, fog light mod, Centric rotors, Hawk HPS, Russell SS lines.

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