WS Brakes/Tyres

[Franco Cozzo]

Hey guys, just curious, my WS Fez is coming up on 17,000km now, how long roughly do the Continental tyres last? Also curious on brake pads and rotors, I hear european cars tend to eat them quickly.

Yhanks much.

[GoesLikeAZetec]

16,000kms and ours look nearly brand new still, pretty happy considering the fun I have in the fez in the hills....

a guy who works with us also works for a tyre place and said the conti's are really expensive but a really good tyre...

as for the brakes I dont know... when it gets time to replace the rotors, I hope i can get some bigger ones

[trento]

I put 35K on my set of contis but I rotated mine around the car every 5000km.

[FLOORED]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Hey guys, just curious, my WS Fez is coming up on 17,000km now, how long roughly do the Continental tyres last? Also curious on brake pads and rotors, I hear european cars tend to eat them quickly.

Yhanks much.

Not sure on tyres but rotors and pads are throw aways these days on most cars.We even sold the disc lathe because it wasn't doing much anymore.
You will find you can replace a set of rotors and pads between 1/2 to 1 hour on most cars these days and in most cases the rotors are cheap enough as well.

[GoesLikeAZetec]

Originally Posted by FLOORED

Not sure on tyres but rotors and pads are throw aways these days on most cars.We even sold the disc lathe because it wasn't doing much anymore.
You will find you can replace a set of rotors and pads between 1/2 to 1 hour on most cars these days and in most cases the rotors are cheap enough as well.

Just out of curiosity, is it much more expensive to go to bigger/better slotted rotors when the time comes for replacement?

[InnerDevil]

Originally Posted by FLOORED

Not sure on tyres but rotors and pads are throw aways these days on most cars.We even sold the disc lathe because it wasn't doing much anymore.
You will find you can replace a set of rotors and pads between 1/2 to 1 hour on most cars these days and in most cases the rotors are cheap enough as well.

How much would u charge for (DBA) rotors and (Bendix DB1724) pads fitted?

Originally Posted by GoesLikeAZetec

Just out of curiosity, is it much more expensive to go to bigger/better slotted rotors when the time comes for replacement?

+1

[Franco Cozzo]

I'm also interested in bigger rotors when it comes time for replacement, thats good to hear about the continental tyres also, mine still look alright.

[fairmont1998]

Look into if a pair of XR4 rotors and calipers will bolt up, they're bigger than the standard Fiesta ones (XR4 are the same size as LS/LT Focus rotors).

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

Look into if a pair of XR4 rotors and calipers will bolt up, they're bigger than the standard Fiesta ones (XR4 are the same size as LS/LT Focus rotors).

Excellent, didn't know that, how much bigger are the Focus rotors compared to the standard Fiesta ones?

[InnerDevil]

is that for front and rear?
so can i just replace the drums on the rear with rotors and calipers straight from a XR4

[GoesLikeAZetec]

i dont think you can just swap the rears from drum to disc brakes like that...

you'd need fluid lines and stuff wouldnt you?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by GoesLikeAZetec

i dont think you can just swap the rears from drum to disc brakes like that...

you'd need fluid lines and stuff wouldnt you?

Drums work on fluid though as well, maybe you might need more.

[fairmont1998]

Swapping the rear drums for the XR4 discs might be a bit more complicated, I don't know if the boosters and master cylinders are the same, and as GoesLikeAZetec mentioned the fliud lines and park brake cables would also be different.
XR4 also uses no proportioning valve in the system, the ABS takes care of the brake bias.

As for brake sizes, standard Fiesta front rotors are 258mm by 22mm thick.
XR4 front rotors are 278mm by 22mm thick.

[InnerDevil]

Damn...thought it would be too easy !!!

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

Swapping the rear drums for the XR4 discs might be a bit more complicated, I don't know if the boosters and master cylinders are the same, and as GoesLikeAZetec mentioned the fliud lines and park brake cables would also be different.
XR4 also uses no proportioning valve in the system, the ABS takes care of the brake bias.

As for brake sizes, standard Fiesta front rotors are 258mm by 22mm thick.
XR4 front rotors are 278mm by 22mm thick.

Would those brakes fit under the 15" Steelies?

[fairmont1998]

They should. Our Focus has 15" steelies and the 278mm rotors.

[FLOORED]

InnerDevil]How much would u charge for (DBA) rotors and (Bendix DB1724) pads fitted?

For a pair of DBA plain rotors and Bendix GCT DB1724 brake pads fitted to the fiesta would cost $260 for the front

Originally Posted by GoesLikeAZetec
Just out of curiosity, is it much more expensive to go to bigger/better slotted rotors when the time comes for replacement?
+1

You can't put bigger rotors on the car unless you also upgrade the calipers but slotted rotors for the Fiesta are $115 each

[GoesLikeAZetec]

Originally Posted by FLOORED

You can't put bigger rotors on the car unless you also upgrade the calipers but slotted rotors for the Fiesta are $115 each

Can I ask if upgrading both of these will affect any of the systems? ie ABS etc?

[FLOORED]

Originally Posted by GoesLikeAZetec

Can I ask if upgrading both of these will affect any of the systems? ie ABS etc?

Generally it won't effect the ABS and we have had no issues when upgrading.

[xr8territory]

I have 15k on the clock and my tyres on zetec are about 70% worn. I am actually a little disappointed in there wear.

[Fled74]

It's possible to install the rear discs from an LR Focus onto a WP/WQ Fiesta. You'd need the rotors, calipers and handbrake cable. Some people on this forum have done it.

[GoesLikeAZetec]

Originally Posted by xr8territory

I have 15k on the clock and my tyres on zetec are about 70% worn. I am actually a little disappointed in there wear.

Can I ask which brand of tyre you have on your WS?

[Franco Cozzo]

While we're on the topic of servicing, whats the go with the wiperblades? I went into Ford today to buy some inserts and was told that there is none and new ones are going to cost $88, I got home and inspected the blades, they seem to be rather odd, I don't think you can separate the blade from the other rubber bit?

Also I'm wondering how you take them off from the arm, I noticed a little button there, I pressed it in and tried to pull it down like on Honda but it seemed to be stuck on pretty hard, I decided not ot try any harder in case I snap the locking mechanism.

Also, with gearbox oil, whats the recommended service interval? I'm thinking of changing the fluid to synthetic oil to see if it fixes the reverse issue.

[Twinpiston]

You can't put the Focus discs and rotors on the Fiesta, they have different sized holes in the uprights (10mm vs 12mm) for the caliper carrier.

Try XR4s (280mm) and also LR Focus ST170 setup (300mm) both rare as rocking horse stuff

[xr8territory]

Hi Goes like a Zetec. quote Can I ask which brand of tyre you have on your WS?'


Standard Continentals 16"

[Ms_Jam]

Big Damo, if you change the gearbox oil to synthetic, please let us all know the details and the results. I remember someone a long time ago on this forum reported success with the reverse problem by using Red Line Oil. But I was shocked when I learned the price.

On the tyres, I am noticing surprising wear on my front Continentals. As I recall, someone on this forum was quoted $360 per corner on replacements.

Has anyone got the Pirelli p zeroneros on their Fez? The reason I ask is that someone here once mentioned that some Zetecs were delivered with them.

I have occasionally noted specials offered on p zeros. I suspect they might not last as long as the Continentals, but if they are much cheaper, they might be worth considering as being more economical per km.

[trento]

Originally Posted by Ms_Jam

Big Damo, if you change the gearbox oil to synthetic, please let us all know the details and the results. I remember someone a long time ago on this forum reported success with the reverse problem by using Red Line Oil. But I was shocked when I learned the price.

On the tyres, I am noticing surprising wear on my front Continentals. As I recall, someone on this forum was quoted $360 per corner on replacements.

Has anyone got the Pirelli p zeroneros on their Fez? The reason I ask is that someone here once mentioned that some Zetecs were delivered with them.

I have occasionally noted specials offered on p zeros. I suspect they might not last as long as the Continentals, but if they are much cheaper, they might be worth considering as being more economical per km.

The most expensive I was ever quoted for the conti's was $208 balanced (in April 09) and fitted, I have had Pzeros on my peugeot 407 before and found them to be a great all round tyre, although I never gave them a thrashing like I did the contis.

Also as I said before, the contis can last 35k if you rotate them properly, I loved them on my fez and also had them on my 307.

If you're after a cheaper alternative to the contis, I Would recommend the NEXEN N6000's, although they are considered to be a budget tyre I find them to be as grippy if not grippier in the dry and truly brilliant in the wet. They retail for around 150 a corner for 205/40/17's so I'm assuming that 15's or 16's will be even cheaper.

[Franco Cozzo]

I like the look of the Toyo Proxes 4, I'll look into those when my Conti's bite the dust.

Also Ms Jam, will do. I might just go for the Nulon synthetic gearbox oil rather than redline.

[fairmont1998]

The XR4s all came with Pirelli P Zero Nero. Very good tyres, but wear pretty fast. I've replaced mine with Bridgestone Adrenalins and the dry weather grip is very similar, but the Pirellis were better in the wet.
When the Bridgestones are worn out, if I find the Pirellis at the right price I won't hesitate to get them again.

[kiwijohn42]

The 195/45/16 tyres are stupidly expensive. 205's are cheaper but check with your insurance, as they aren't specced.
I was quoted over $1100 to replace the Contis. I did get over 60k out of them though.