Hello All. Sorry for the length of this.
I'm hoping folks here might be able to come up with a theory - or confirm
one of my theories - about what is happening with my 92 Explorer brakes.
Keep in mind that I'm an unusual in how I use the brakes; more on that
later.
ISSUE: I have about 97,000 miles and have never changed the pads. The
thing
is the rear brake shoes are wearing out FASTER than the front disc brakes
pads, although both are wearing very slowly. My Ford dealer says the front
pads should wear about about three times for every one time the rear shoes
wear out, which I've heard elsewhere as well. He says something is wrong/
The question is: Why are the rear brakes wearing first? The dealer, who
will
do my state inspection Monday 4/28/08, is hypothesizing that maybe there
is
a problem with the brake system proportioning valve? (All stops, even
emergency ones, are secure, fast and straight!)
This is where wear things stand:
FRONT PADS: 11/64ths (slightly more than 5/32) Ford recommends changing at
1/16. One side is very slightly more worn than the other. The outer and
inner pads are worn about the same. They have worn very slightly since I
checked at this time last year. I don't see a need to change these now.
REAR PADS: The front shoe on both sides is worn more than the rear shoes,
down to about 6/64ths to 7/64ths over the rivet head (3/32nds) in the most
worn spots. (They were 8/64 to 9/64ths in 7/06) Ford I think recommends
changing at 1/16 above rivet head, though NY State requires replacement
at
1/32 over the rivet. I'm thinking I should change them soon just to sure I
don't get the rivets too close to the drum, ad it's getting close to the
inspection limits. The dealer wants $189 to do both sides of the rear
alone.
I told him I want the drums sanded and not cut, per Ford's instructions.
The
drums are in very good shape.
MY DRIVING HABITS: I think you can tell that I am EXTREMELY light on the
brakes. I coast to stop signs and red lights and stay far behind the car
in
front so that I rarely use the brakes or only very lightly and briefly,
except for occasional fast braking in emergencies. I also have a manual
transmission, though I don't downshift excessively. However, I DO use the
parking brake a lot, often at red lights, since I don't like keeping my
foot
on the brake if I'm on even the slightest hill. (I tap the brake pedal a
lot
of let cars behind me know I'm stopped or slowing, but not enough the
engage
the brakes)
THEORIES ABOUT WHAT COULD BE HAPPENING:
A) Proportioning valve problem as the dealer thinks? Is there one?
B) My light use of the brakes but frequent use of the parking brake,
though
applying at a stop, is causing the rear brakes to wear as fast as the
front
ones
C) I disassemble and grease the calipers with dielectric compound annually
.
I have never disassembled or greased the rear pads. I'm wondering whether
they are dragging a bit. Maybe the return springs are old? The drums come
off fairly easily, though it seems like the pads may be in slight contact
with the drum when I remove it on both sides.
So... has anyone seen this before, with rear brakes wearing out as fast or
more quickly than the fronts? Any ideas what's going on? Does replacing
the
brakes make sense now, and is $189 for the rear brakes alone too high? I'm
reluctant to use these cheap quickie places. (One Jiffy Lube manger told
me
that he didn't even know what torquing the lug nuts even means!!!!) Also,
I've never done rear brakes before, and the procedure in the manuals I
have
(Haynes and Ford shop manual) seem like it's a lot of work, especially
when
I comes to adjusting.
Thanks for reading and for any advise or feedback.
Anthony Giorgianni
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