How long to change LR Focus brake pads?

[melbzetec]

That's it.

Last time I go to a Ford Dealer for service.

How long does it take to change a set of brake pads? 2.5 hours according to City Ford Melbourne!!

The bastards tried to magically change a $600, 60,000 km service, into $1200!

Wanted to rotate and balance wheels ("Why, does it need it?" "Yes", they said. "Odd, had a full balance and wheel alignment two weeks ago"). No thanks

"Needs and injector service". $150. "Why?, is there a problem with the injectors? "No, but Ford recommends we do injector service every 12 months" (Rang Ford Customer Service. No they don't). "But I run it religiously on BP Ultimate" I said...."Oh. Well maybe it doesn't need it."

"Brakes need doing". Strange, looked like a fair bit of meat on them to me last week. But give them the benefit of the doubt. "You'll find a complete set of new EBC Greenstuff pads in the back of the hatch" They didn't like that

Still charge me $260 labour to change brake pads. "How long does it take you?" "Oh it's very complicated" said they. "We have to bleed the brakes" "But you've charged me a further $80 labour to flush the brake system and put in new brake fluid....you have to bleed the brakes when you do that, so all you are doing is changing the pads" They couldn't understand that. "It's very complicated" they kept muttering. "Can I see the old brake pads please." "Ohh....they would have been put in the bin"

Result; brakes squeal like a pig from 3 of the 4 wheels ("Oh, performance pads do that." says City Ford this morning. I have used EBC pads for over 50,000 km, with never a squeal) . And no great help when I phoned this morning. "Brakes will probably settle in"

$40 labour to check rattling exhaust. They install new bolt and tighten the rest. Exhaust now rattles more than when I took it in. Nobody checked it

Adjusted hand brake. No Charge!!!! Big of them

In at 8am, still not ready @ 5.30pm. I'd suggest no road test either given squealing barkes and rattling exhaust

Plus I find today, they haven't even bothered to stamp the service book which I left on the front seat for them

Total cost of this crock. $960. (and I provided my own oil and brake pads.....at least not the $1200 they first tried to get)

I have always used a Ford Dealer service, and defended it to others, but no more. You've made some money but ****ed a customer off forever. If it was a top class job I'd accept it. But it was a late afternoon rush job I reckon. And the extras they tried to stick me for is just bloody gouging.

I'll go to a brake specialist and exhaust specialist to sort out next week

Good bye City Ford

[photn]

Hey steve. I know exactly how you feel. when i rang up for my B service and asked about all those things i laughed an hung up. instead i got my local family mechanic to come show me how to do everything i needed. Change the pads and discs, bleed the brakes, oil was easy, fuel filter, oil filter, i pay 49 for alignment and balancing.

And to answer your question, it took me 45 min on the first brake because i didnt know what i was doing and had no manual to do it. but the second one took me 15 min.

[Fast Eddie]

Steve,

I sympathise with you 100% I'd assume that you have a similarly operating Dept. of Fair Trading to us up here. Give them all the details and see what they recommend. That's at least a start.

From previous experience there'd be no way it'd need an "injector service" till say 150k but I don't mind to be corrected if I'm wrong on that.

60k+ and I've still got plenty of pad life left but that of course depends on a lot of variables.

Let us know how it all goes.

[melbzetec]

New car margins are wafer thin. The used car markrt is cactus. Where else can a dealer make money? SERVICE

[melbzetec]

On a happier note: New mod to show you in the next few days!! (Got it wired in today Matt)

[Mick K.]

I was quoted $600 for a rear pad change for my Focus at a dealer. My front pad and rotor change cost less than that and I ended up getting the rear pads done for less than half of what Ford quoted parts and labour.

I am 2 months away from my 5 year service and due to something strange happening with my reverse switch (lights not working and rear wiper not doing a wipe when I put it into reverse) I will probably get the service done at Ford, so they can hopefully fix that too. Otherwise, I think my local K-Mart Tyre and Auto would have the job!

MK

[b2tf]

Nothing new to me Im afraid Steve - when I had mine they had no idea what it was. The amount of times I wanted to punch someone when they called it a Festiva ffs.....

I'm working with a customer at Ricerbarn at the moment to fix his Pursuit250 - to give you an idea, the Ford service mob here put plugs for a Mondeo in it...... :

[Dustyn]

sinclair ford charged me $370 to supplie and fit new rear pads in my car and didnt even machien the rotors for me...

[AnthonyTDCi]

wow that sounds like a bad experience man... i never used to take my other cars to a mechanic....always used to work on them myself...but i think this one is out of my hands.

i suppose its just a matter of not taking any crap from the service department. sounds dodgey that they didnt want to show you the old pads though.

[zetec]

Originally Posted by Mick K.

I was quoted $600 for a rear pad change for my Focus at a dealer. My front pad and rotor change cost less than that and I ended up getting the rear pads done for less than half of what Ford quoted parts and labour.

I am 2 months away from my 5 year service and due to something strange happening with my reverse switch (lights not working and rear wiper not doing a wipe when I put it into reverse) I will probably get the service done at Ford, so they can hopefully fix that too. Otherwise, I think my local K-Mart Tyre and Auto would have the job!

MK

Check the fuse behind the glovebox.

[Mick K.]

Originally Posted by zetec

Check the fuse behind the glovebox.

Thanks for the tip, but the fuses and bulb are fine, so I think it is a either a connection problem or the actual reverse switch on the gearbox that is playing up.

MK

[Spazzsfocus]

Originally Posted by Mick K.

I am 2 months away from my 5 year service and due to something strange happening with my reverse switch (lights not working and rear wiper not doing a wipe when I put it into reverse) I will probably get the service done at Ford, so they can hopefully fix that too. Otherwise, I think my local K-Mart Tyre and Auto would have the job!

MK

So how did you go? have you worked out a fix yet...was it a connection problem or the actual reverse switch?

I don't think my car has ever done a rear wiper wipe when its put into reverse?? (is there a trick to it or is mine just not working?) and with all this rain we've had in Sydney lately it would have come in handy...

[melbzetec]

Had a call from their customer service person today....so gave them the full speel.

Management will call me tomorrow

[FOCUSonTHIS]

What about this new mod Steve??

[20focus05]

you know you dont have to take it to ford for servicing. It will not effect your warranty as long as its done by a qualified mechanic.

[AnthonyTDCi]

Originally Posted by 20focus05

you know you dont have to take it to ford for servicing. It will not effect your warranty as long as its done by a qualified mechanic.

oh really? hmm didnt know that. so would a normal mechanic still stamp the book and what not?

[FOCUSonTHIS]

Yeah if you ask him to stamp it he will

[ivorya]

I Have a 2002 Mk1 Focus and late last yr had to get all disc's and brakes. I don't go to my Local Fraudulant dealer for servicing due to the huge costing's they put on things. One thing that certainly helps, is having a brother that is a motor mechanic who has plenty of contacts.
I was able to get all products for less than $600- and my brother and I installed them. The place where we picked up the Brakes from said they were acually selling the same gear to My Local Fraudulant dealer as it was cheaper to buy through them but they don't lower the price.

Front disc's and pads were fine, no probs there. The rears do take longer as the piston is a screw type ( it has a thread) and therefore you have to screw it back the other way which is quite difficult without specific tooling.

All up we started installing at 6 and finished at 9 having a feed and a few drinks thrown in.

Thats my experience anyway..

[melbzetec]

To be fair, they rang yesterday to do their customer service survey, and I told them what I thought.

Got a call back from their Service Manager, who was embarrassed at what I'd been charged and what had been done (or not done). He handled it very well, and I am catching up with him next week, where we'll sort the situation out.

I give him 11/10 for his approach and attitude today on the phone, and he has a real chance of turning a bad situation into a positive

[Fast Eddie]

Sounds like it'll all work out in the long run, Steve. Now, for this new mod. I'll show you mine if you show me yours. Deal?

[20focus05]

I can do all rotors and pads in about 2 hours, got a job this weekend to do just that
all parts (protec, lucas) cost $340 (trade)

[Fast Eddie]

Are the pads Protec and the rotors Lucas? I will try and source some Pagid Pads when my LR brakes are due.

Oh, the new mod will be done this weekend if it all works out as planned.

[20focus05]

spelling whoops Protex rotors, lucus pads and came up to $300

[Fast Eddie]

Not a bad price. I must admit I've not heard of Protex. Protec I have. I think that's automotive paint related?

[20focus05]

got them through ABS in Adelaide
Fronts took me 1/2 hour to do pads and rotors. just remember to have t45 torx bits
the person told me it was disc rear but when they dropped the car off it was drum!!!!