Wanted to report in on the parts and what I did incase would help someone else ...swshawii was very helpful!
The Wagner rotors, front and rear, we're indeed made in China. I understand how some feel about this, but I keep wondering where our children will work if heavy industry like this is allowed (yeah, I am inferring governmental action vice completely free market process - we and other countries do this all the time). No issues with the Chicom product quality or sizing, as there once was - we've provided the engineering and process to them so now the logical will occur. Not rotor change, I will renew my search for non-Chicom rotors. Part of the issue is being able to get someone to actually look at the boxes or products to tell. The local Ford dealer parts department swore to me that their Motorcraft boxes or rotors were marked with country of origin. Advance Auto only stocked their Wearever sub brand, and they were at least market China.
The Wagner Thermoquiet pads were made in the USA. Congratulations, Wagner, I will buy these, again, for my next pad change. Wagner should be rewarded for this, at least.
So, off the soap box, now.
Changed oil and filter (no surprises, although the small o ring like seal on the drain plug is getting a bit beat up looking).
Rotors and pads went on like rotors and pads - the front pad slide pins were really gummy inside the bore - clean the bores out with brake cleaner and a cloth wrapped screw driver. On each side, one of the pins was a squared off round pin, and the other was round with what I am assuming is a partial neoprene cover for anti-vibration purposes - the neoprene padded one will only fit in the correct opening as it is larger diameter than the squared of round pin. The pad support assembly is the same part left and right front, so on one side the neoprene padded on is in the top and reversed on the other side. Cleaned the stainless steel slide points with wire brush. Rears were unremarkable ...different design than front. Used c clamp to compress pistons front and rear ...rags under reservoir as fluid will drip out as you back pressure from the pistons. Followed average break in procedures recommended by several of the ceramic pad manufacturers without issue. Note - since the vehicle has plastic rear pistons, only metallic pads were recommended - would like to understand why.
Replaced the serp drive belt - I had been ignoring it ...I think it was original - this means I screwed up! Interestingly, it looked fine ...wow ...10 years and 120k miles ...no cracking anywhere I could find. It was Gates and was also made in USA ...it was quite a bit shorter than the Motorcraft that was on it due to stretching ...tight fit ...tip is to out it on all the pulleys except the top center non-drive pulley, including the tensioner pulley, THEN compress the tensioner and SLIP the belt over the top center pulley - it does not have a lip on it so is waaaay easier.
Well, hopes this helps somebody down the road.
Is there a reason not to?
