2004 ST rear brakes

[srreality]

My beloved 2004 ST has 130K miles on it, still has original rear brakes/rotors/pads. The emergency brakes need to be replaced as "someone" drove it several miles with EB engaged. I feel I should address both issues while I'm at it. Should I assume the rotors are worn out and replace them as part of the rebuild? Is it worth checking to see if they can be "turned" a bit to resurface them? The tear-down/reassembly looks pretty straight forward otherwise. I'm not having any brake problems, other than the cheap pads the local Ford dealer put on the front about 30K miles ago which generate a lot of brake dust. I think I'll replace them after I finish the rear brake job.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

At 130k miles you're well past the routine replacement. I would replace the rotors, pads, EB shoes and hardware. Make sure to clean and regrease the sliders on the calipers.

 

[05dakotatrac]

also rear brakes have two options phenolic pistons, and metallic. make sure to glance at your caliper before going cause the pads are completely different from each other

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Yes the phelonic (non-magnetic) caliper piston has a small three pronged clip where as the steel caliper piston has a big three pronged clip on the brake pads. You can either take one brake pad with you to be sure or take a magnet to the piston, just be careful with the phelonic piston, it can crack and break (I know from experience, LOL).

 

[srreality]

Thanks for the tips! 95% of the miles on this vehicle are highway miles and I've maintained it well. That's a lot of the reason the brakes have lasted so long, I'm sure. This thing has been trouble free from Day 1. I intend to keep it until it dies.........or I do, whichever comes first. I'm nearly 70 now, so it could very well outlast me!

 

[600remguy]

Well, I looked. I tapped with a screwdriver. I scratched with a knife. I swore mine were metal. Pads I wanted didn't come for phelonic pistons anyway. Bought pads and brought them home. To make a long story short, the metal piston pad will go in, but somewhat modified!