25 replies to this topic

[ChrisH]

Dont forget some brake grease to keep the caliper slide surfaces lubricated, and some copper grease for the pad backs, to stop squeal. Also its a 7mm allen key you will need for the caliper mount bolts. the haynes manual dosnt tell you what size, and a 7mm was the only one I didnt have

[grahamp]

Yes ta, already gone and got a 7mm hex socket so I can torque it back up correctly.

FordEtis warns against using "grease or lubricant on the brake pad contact points or the brake caliper piston". Oddly it only states this for the rear, not the front. Think I'll just apply a tiny amount where the caliper slides and if there's a squeal take it from there.

Well Haynes Focus 05-09 Diesel is wrong, it reckons 1.8td is 278mm, 1.6 and 2.0 are 300. Also reckons all rears are 280. I make it 278 on the front and 265 on the rear for a 1.6, lucky I measured before ordering.

[stef123]

The 1.8tdci is defo 300mm front and 280mm rears, also stamped into the . Good old Haynes ay?

[grahamp]

Just a last word, well worth picking a tube of this up if you don't have something similar:
http://www.eurocarpa...70250&0&cc5_150

copper-ease isn't recommended these days due to the metal particles is contains.

http://www.pagid.de/...x_en_050825.pdf

[james132]

Can anyone confirm front disc size for a 2.0TDCi 2005 focus?

Just to point out im not lazy, I would take the wheel off and measure myself, however its a tad difficult with a complete rear corner missing at the moment.

I expect there 300mm, just want to check though.

[Stoney871]

They will be either 278mm or 300mm.

[Pitmonster]

Also its a 7mm allen key you will need for the caliper mount bolts. the haynes manual dosnt tell you what size, and a 7mm was the only one I didnt have

Why is it so hard to get a 7mm allen key (or hex socket for my socket set)?
Vauxhall use the same size for their caliper bolts too, so it seems to be common in car circles, but whenever you get a set that has multiple sizes it tends to go 4/5/5.5/6/8/9 and almost always misses 7 out. Why?
Is it a conspiracy?

[james132]

No idea why they are always left out. As you said, Vauxhall use the same, as do many other makes. I had to buy a single 7mm hex socket just for the job. Its not hard to get hold of them individually though.

[mjt]

Is this what you need?

[Pitmonster]

Finally got around to buying the brake parts for my Focus from Euro Car Parts, and a mechanic friend is fitting them at the weekend. He has all the necessary tools and the right greases etc, and will fit them in a fraction of the time it would take me!

Had a choice of two brands - Pagid or Eicher. The latter was cheaper, but I'd never heard of them and a quick Google gave some bad/mixed reviews, so I went for the Pagids

A full set of discs & pads for all 4 wheels came in at £148 incl vat, which I thought was pretty reasonable for such a recognised brand.

(The Eichers would have been £100 but I prefer to see brakes as an investment rather than an expense, and £50 isn't much in such a crucial area. If the discs last 5 yrs that's only a tenner per year difference, and I can happily live with that)

Next a set of tyres, new wiper blades and a sidelight bulb, and I'll be all set for my MOT next month.

[grahamp]

Oh, one last thing you might need for the job... a packet of M8 x 60mm bolts, nuts and washers from the hardware shop. This video saved my bacon...