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Tim
You shouldn't have any problem with them fixing it for free. Just be nice and explain the problem and let them know that it's a known issue that they can check on. However I would guess they know all about it.
Assume rotors are the same spec for both ceramic and non-ceramic 2004 Expedition? Anyone know for sure about the rotors? If so, 2003 and early 2004 Expy owners can at least consider ceramic pads next time if Ford will not/does not replace now under warranty.
Also note that 04 Job 2 gives the double core radiator again in 5.4L Expedition with H/D trailer tow package after the double core being absent a clouple of years in H/D T/T package
I haven't a clue about the rotor spec, but the stock rotors are pretty soft. At 43,000 they had to be replaced on the Escape.
I had my Expediton model years of 2003 and early 2004 correct, but I was one calendar year off in the opening paragraph.
I got the ceramic pads date off the Job 2 Ford Ordering Guide which would have published somewhere around Nov, Dec 03. They could have been available later in 2004?
It got the information about more noise with Ford ceramic pads on Expedition directly from the local Ford dealer's shop and parts manager. ?
Great experience with aftermarket ceramic pads on our daughter's 97 T/Bird. Price being the only drawback. Shaky brakes of that vintage Bird completely eliminated with ceramic pads and new rotors (no change after many miles history).
My 2004 Expedition NBX was built in mid October 2003 and came with the older non-ceramic pads. Unit still has lots of general braking for heavy Expedition, great tow and panic braking.
P.s. I wanted to get a Job 2 2004 NBX to get ceramic brake pads and dual core radiator with T/T package, but went with early year version to get the 2nd row captains chairs on the one black 2004 NBX I found nearby. These $530 "captains' chairs" turned out to be nothing more than the outside regular seats with armrests (too low for adults)and deleted center seat. This 2nd row arrangement does give additional floor space in the Expedition and provides easy access to third row seats. This 2nd row "option" should be a credit or no cost option instead of a $530 rip off.
About the seats - yeah I agree with you there. I'm not super thrilled about those either. In my opinion the Explorer has a better second row seating setup with the quad-bucket seating option. Ahh well. At least I'm behind the wheel.
Ceramic brake pads are generally quieter and lower dusting than most OEM pads and organic based brake pads. Many ceramic formulations offer extremely low dusting characteristics, preventing dust from accumulating on your wheels.
Since they were first used on a few original equipment applications in 1985, friction materials that contain ceramic formulations have become recognized for their desirable blend of traits. Instead of the semi-metallic pad’s steel fibers, the ceramic braking pads make use of the ceramic compounds and copper fibers. This allows the ceramic pads to handle high brake temperatures with less heat fade, provide faster recovery after the stop, and generate less dust and wear on both the brake pads and rotors.
Moreover, the ceramic compounds in the ceramic brake pads make the braking much quieter. This happens as the ceramic compounds help dampen noise by generating a frequency that is beyond the human hearing range.
The above info is from ceramicool. So I am changing my pads i have them ordered. They tell me this will stop the squeaking problem as well as the dust problem. Ford has a technical service buletin out about this, but if you take it to the dealer get ready to pay a lot. I am as I said earlier taking it to a Brake shop. I will post my results after awhile when I see how this goes. hope this helps!
I can't speak to how the Expy's breaks perform on mountainous roads since there aren't too many here in Minnesota but any braking system will lose peformance if you ride them too long and heat up the brake fluid.
Karl
I have been on for a while now, but it is ironic that I had the same thought that the shop manager
might just be putting me off. I too like the Explorer quad seat option.
In general I have been thinking about trading my my 2004 Expedition NBX for something for wife and start driving her 2003 V-8, 4wd, XLT. Then I work and drive the Expedition hard and say no. Just cannot get used to the Expedition weighing so much, especially pulling a grade from low speed.
Other--
As a taller driver, I definitely prefer the higher post mounted or anchored seatbelts with good adjustment range. GM Tahoe,GM trucks and some Ford models with low seat mounted belts drive me nuts. Have noted height adjuster on Explorer is mostly for short people.
Got to see if NVBANKER has any words of wisdom further down.
Secondly, the vehicle's front heating system is very weak - it will take 1/2 hour at full blast to make the driver even remotely comfortable. The rear unit appears to function normally.
Could these problems be related? I am very limited on $ and need to keep this vehicle for a long time, but these problems make it very unpleasant for me and the kids to ride in. Any and all help is GREATLY appreciated.
Jim
But in between, in 4x4 Auto (wet road but not always slippery) there is no light on the dash. Is this normal or not working?
As an aside, I was surprised that the local Valvoline manager did not have the 5W-20 Ford spec oil. (Honda and a few others use it too). The manager on his own saved one of my empty 5W-20 Motorcraft quart bottles and said he would find out more. Ford has used the 5W-20 in most light duty vehicles except maybe the 4.0L V-6 in Explorer and Ranger since the 2001 model. Honda maybe longer than that. Just a couple of years ago Wal-Mart only had the one Motorcraft selection, but now carries 5W-20 with the Ford, Honda spec in three or four national brands.
Any similar experiences trying to get Ford OEM oil filters to back off?
What did you think about my comment about the 5W-20 spec (don't have the actual spec in front of me). Old habits amongst do-it-yourselfers are hard to change. No need to read the owner's manual, 10W-30 or bust. Ha! I forget to mention that much of the $4.50 and higher per quart 0W-30 or 5W-30 in many brands of full synthetic probably would have the above 5W-20 spec covered.
I just do some work at home to have something to do on the weekends. Have a nice oil lube compressor and impact wrench, floor jack, and stands. Save lots of time and money rotating my three vehicles tires. Avoid all the vehicle drop off and pickup as few tire stores have any kind of fast lane service for rotation only. Also avoid repeated improper lug nut torque settings by Ford dealers and tire stores(also have had missing studs, missing lug nuts, scratched hubcaps, frequent improper tire pressures, and on and on at the dealers and stores). No better at Ford dealers than local tire stores--ongoing problem due to low skill, don't care attitude of new hire types who get stuck with tire rotation. Little or no shop manager quality control anywhere.
Tire store or auto dealer of course is mandatory if any tire rebalancing or tire repair is needed.