Anyone tried to buy Break Pads for a 2001 Sport yet? Sorry so long...

[Black Magic]

Well about a month ago I got my replacments for the Firestones. Goodyear is what I got if anyone cares. The mechanic at the dealership said that I needed breaks soon, real soon. I told him ok, but I did not want to schedule an appointment right now. I went on about my business and thought that I would replace the pads my self. I always do my own maintence. So I stoped by AutoZone and asked for break pads. They did not have them yet, said they were too new. So then I stoped by the local Ford Dealership's parts dept. They said that Motorcraft has not put a number to them yet. They did not have anything. However, I could order "Blue Box" break pads. They said that "Blue Box" was parts that are sent to the Assembly line for building new vehicles. It would take 2 days and they would cost $86.57. I told them never mind! Well I did some calling arround and checked and only one place had them in stock and it was like 60 miles away. Them I though of my uncle that sells used Cars at another Ford dealership. I called him for some help and he said that I had to have them that they were special and no other pads would work, i.e. 97-00 explorers, or rangers. So he called his mechanic and got me a set brought over from the one dealership. Well I went ahead and pulled off the front tires and removed the calipers and pulled off the rotors and took them to my brother's shop to have them turned. I looked at my pads and they looked good to me. But, I am not a mechanic so I took them to let my brother look at them. He agreed and said that they were good for another 20,000 miles. So I had him turn the rotors for SnG's. Then I took the pads home and put them back on. I did switch the inside pads with the outside, the outside was worn a lot more than the inside pads. So that should be even better.

I hate when dealerships try crap like that. He was sure that since I showed up in a tie to drop off my new explorer I would not take it home and replace the break pads my self. I just though I would share this with everyone.

 

[Jim F]

I did some checking on Autozone.com and sure enough the pads for the 2001's (Sport and XLT) are a different number than my 98 and they don't stock them. When I looked at 2000's they are available but are a different number than the 2001's. I wonder what Ford changed, better or worse?