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Author
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Topic: ATTN!: Focus Brakes.
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Y2kFocus
Journeyman Posts: 33
From: Torrington CT
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 09-10-2002 06:33 PM
   
Ok, so maybe it's just me, but I'vve heard other's agree, there is an inherent problem with the brakes on the 2000 Focus. It seems that darn spring clip refuses to stay, no matter how good, or who does the brakes on my car. Pads keep slipping. This is now the 4th set of brake pads I've put on my car for this reason. Just figured I'd give a heads up to anyone else with this problem. I'm currently looking for a better brake upgrade for my car. I'm really not willing to do another brake job just to have it fail again before 10,000 miles. Now don't get me wrong, the brakes work well and all(when they work)but this is the 4th time this has happened, once from Ford, once from Midas, and twice by your's truely. I think this is a bit of a safty hazzard personally. As do 3 of my friends with 2k foci. A friend of mine has done his brakes 8(!) times because of this same problem. If anyone has any ideas on how to fix it, or knows of a company that makes a complete caliper replacement, give me a shout  Be VERY glad to hear about it!
~Scott~
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 27815
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 09-10-2002 06:50 PM
Why aren't you having Ford fix this? This sounds more like a design defect if I understand it correctly.------------------
All Fords since 1977! '70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150
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mustangs68
Moderator Posts: 15787
From: Hampton,Virginia,USA 1968 Fastback & 1995 Vert MCA#39406 M&M #12
Registered: May 99
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posted 09-10-2002 07:05 PM
Your Warrenty should cover this..keep the money in your pockets
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Y2kFocus
Journeyman Posts: 33
From: Torrington CT
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 09-10-2002 07:49 PM
The car has been out of warrenty for almost 2 years now(76,000 miles on it) I checked for recalls too and came up empty. But like I said, I'm not the first to have this problem. Alas, I DID find a new brake system for it, from Baer. $825 total(you need to get the SVT spindles first though). But this might be a good idea for those of us who keep experiencing this problem. As for me, I'm short on that kinda cash, so I'm just going to have to deal. Steve, the reason I don't bring it back to ford is 1)price. To do my brakes through them both times it's been done(once under warrenty, and they ended up chewing the rotors) was about $1200(!)and 2) The local dealers around here can't seem to plain out get their act together  I'd rather do it myself anyway, that way there's no one to blame but your's truely On another note. If you own a Focus, and do your own brake work, be VERY careful to inspect the rubber grommets that the slide pins go through. Apparently(can't really tell if it happened before, or after)these little buggers like to break up and go missing completely. I have all the parts to fix my car, but it sits on jackstands until I can get that little part from Ford. *sigh* hopefully it'll be done in the morning... but that wouldn't be my luck 
~Scott~
[This message has been edited by Y2kFocus (edited 09-10-2002).]
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 27815
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 09-10-2002 08:30 PM
Scott, if the brake is failing by design, there will be no cost to you. For Ford, some disc pads are a lot cheaper than a lawsuit. You said they replaced it first under warranty, right? If the problem was reported while the car was under warranty, they will fix it as long as a problem remains.Talk to your service advisor, if that doesn't work, ask to speak to a zone rep. When I was in the business, there were always 'silent recalls.' Trust me, I know how they work. ------------------
All Fords since 1977! '70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150
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Y2kFocus
Journeyman Posts: 33
From: Torrington CT
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 09-10-2002 08:35 PM
Well, when I had them done under warrenty, it wasn't for that. For whatever reason, the brakes just gave out around 10,000 miles, nothing visibly wrong with them. So I let them put the brakes on and called it a day. The second time they did them, I had noticed the spring had popped off, and told them so, they said it was nothing and not to worry about it(this is dumb considering that's all that's holding it together) so as it stands, I'm just going to do this brake job, and hopefully it'll last until I have the cash for the Baer system
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 27815
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 09-10-2002 08:40 PM
If they said it doesn't matter, it must be the anti-rattle clip. Look, anytime I have a problem with a dealer I always ask them to put it in writing so I have documentation for the future court case if there's ever a problem. Then I ask them for their own full name and to write it on the paperwork. I get satisfaction 100% of the time. ------------------
All Fords since 1977! '70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150
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Y2kFocus
Journeyman Posts: 33
From: Torrington CT
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 09-10-2002 08:59 PM
I think it's more of a retainer spring... I'm not really sure acctually, but it may serve both purposes. It has to be clipped AROUND the calper slides, thereby retaining it to the main mount of the caliper. Either way, I will take your advice about getting everything in writing from here on in. But, as for this, I really don't have the money to bring it to a dealer, I know somehow they'll charge me, esspecially since the car is no longer in warrenty :\
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lyle29464
Gearhead Posts: 638
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 09-10-2002 09:32 PM
Would it be ok to modify the seat for this clip so it could not work out so ez. Grind out the seat so it has a sharp edge or a deeper area?
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Y2kFocus
Journeyman Posts: 33
From: Torrington CT
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 09-10-2002 10:22 PM
Never even thought about that Lyle! It's too late to check now, but I don't see why not. It may just work too ~Scott~
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lyle29464
Gearhead Posts: 638
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 09-10-2002 10:37 PM
Your welcome
In the marine business We change a lot of things we buy. drill through bolts and add a stainless wire to stop it from comming lose.
making clips tighter. rounding out holes for less friction. drilling a hole for installing greese fittings,replacing all keys with stainless ones. we can't pull over to fix something.
If your drifting towards the rocks in 6 foot seas you dont want to wonder if that 8? lock nut with plastic in it is going to hold your shaft on.
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 16289
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 09-10-2002 11:26 PM
I have the perfect solution.  Cut two 18 inch diameter holes in the drivers floor and invest in some steel soled shoes.
Hell, it works for Fred Flintstone doesn't it?
------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator/ non 65-66 Mustang owner sensitivity co-ordinator NHRA/IHRA/SRA/MCA member
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Part time secret agent license #0089
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
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cpmaverick
Moderator Posts: 1464
From: Auburn, AL.
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 09-12-2002 11:37 AM
I haven't noticed any problems with the Focus brakes. I think I understand the clip you are talking about, but I can't see how it falls off.  . It is a box-shaped clip that fits over the caliper-mount side of the caliper slide correct? If it's coming off, maybe it is damaged. Motorcraft brake pads come with new clips. ------------------
-Charlie Ping
1970 Maverick Grabber
[email protected] with AC and overdrive.
http://www.maverickgrabber.com
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mustangs68
Moderator Posts: 15787
From: Hampton,Virginia,USA 1968 Fastback & 1995 Vert MCA#39406 M&M #12
Registered: May 99
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posted 10-19-2002 10:00 AM
Found this site while doing a search..don't know if it will help as I didn't read to deep into it.
http://www.fordfocusbrakeproblems.com/
sam
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