Ford Focus Silver

Lorretta · 22 Jul 2003, 21:25 (Ref:668816)

I recently bought a 51 plate Focus Silver. I have found that on braking the rear break disks are really noisy almost a grinding sound. I took the car to Ford to be told that discs are alot noisier than drums. Has anyones else experienced this on their focus or are they just blagging?

KC · 22 Jul 2003, 21:32 (Ref:668823)

My Focus has drum brakes on the rear, but a grinding noise from any disk brake is a sign that something is broken. Disk brakes are only noisier than drum brakes if they squeal. I have had a brake pad break and jam into the rotor on a disk brake. Ruined the rotor and nearly cost me the caliper as well. I would demand your dealer remove the wheel and inspect it before anything gets destroyed. It is not normal for brakes to make a lot of noise unless you are running racing brake pads.

Mrs BlackX · 22 Jul 2003, 21:33 (Ref:668824)

I have a 51 plate Ford KA and the front discs are horrendous..... They have been changed twice at my insistance as the previous T plate KA did not have the awful grinding sound each time I braked, but the noise has not deminished!!

I have been told that it is because Ford have changed the composition of the pads..... I have not followed it up any further as it has not altered the performance in any way

The solution???...... Turn up the radio.... Thats what I did......hehehehehe

Lorretta · 22 Jul 2003, 21:36 (Ref:668827)

The solution???...... Turn up the radio.... Thats what I did......hehehehehe

That's funny that's what they told me to do aswell. Wonder if that's in their manual.
I think I will take it back to Ford and tell them to have another look as I drive with my young daughter in the car on a daily basis.
Cheers!

Mrs BlackX · 22 Jul 2003, 21:43 (Ref:668833)

Make sure that you force then into doing something if you are not happy..... They tend to think that women have no idea what they are talking about....

Fortunately for me my hubby is a qualified mechanic and insisted that they do something about it as it was still under warrenty, otherwise he would have been taking the wheels off himself... As it was he did just that after they had looked at it, just to satisy himself...

Also if they say they will look at it and dont do it within your vision, check the wheel nuts for signs of removal, they tried that the first time with me!!!.... They just peered round the tyre and then pronounced it "perfect"... When I looked and saw no signs of the wheels having been removed (they are alloy's), I insisted that they do it where I could see them taking the wheels off..... Despite their insistance that they could see everything without removing the wheel!!!.... DOH!!

Good luck....

STRATTON · 22 Jul 2003, 22:00 (Ref:668839)

Failing that sis, get your SAAB back !!!!!!!

Lorretta · 22 Jul 2003, 22:04 (Ref:668843)

Big Brother is watching.

Wish I could!!!!!

neil purdie · 22 Jul 2003, 22:44 (Ref:668866)

Hi Lorreta,
I see stratton has got you on this forum to!!

Lorretta · 23 Jul 2003, 05:03 (Ref:669028)

Hi Neil

How's things? Trouble is you get on here and think of so many questions you can't get off. People are very helpful. It's great. When are you at Brands?
Say Hi to Alison and Lauren
Take Care

fast95pony · 27 Jul 2003, 20:01 (Ref:672636)

I have discs all around on my Focus (SVT version) and the discs are quiet.

Chui · 29 Jul 2003, 03:23 (Ref:673865)

The brakes should certainly be both quiet and vibration free...

KC · 29 Jul 2003, 13:13 (Ref:674287)

Here is alink to an article explaining why brakes do the things they do and the difference between racing brake pads and road car brake pads.

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...threadid=17195

Lorretta · 1 Aug 2003, 15:07 (Ref:677277)

Thanks KC

I don't think Ford are going to be too happy to see me. The car is going in for a service next week so it will be interesting to see what they try and fob me off with this time. At least I will have some info to fire back at them. I appreciate your help.

Mattracer · 2 Aug 2003, 07:27 (Ref:677693)

Don't go to dealerships, especially after it is off warranty.

blackx · 2 Aug 2003, 09:40 (Ref:677725)

Quote:

Originally posted by Mattracer
Don't go to dealerships, especially after it is off warranty.

Even under warranty you are not legally bound to use Ford!!

Lorretta · 2 Aug 2003, 10:31 (Ref:677755)

Thanks for that. I thought you had to use a main dealer for warranty work. How do you go about getting work done else where as I also have a wheel bearing that is going to need to be done. Didn't I do well. A hint for all don't buy a ford!!!
I had a saab 95 before but got rid of that due to a very expensive oil leak wish I hadn't bothered.

Phoenix1 · 6 Aug 2003, 19:04 (Ref:681513)

Two things to do -

1) Speak to Ford UK and get them to confirm if there is a common fault/issue with the car or not and get their name and if your dealership fobs you off give them the name and number

2) Write them a letter with your complain and at the bottom put something like, I 'Mr dealership man' have read this letter although it does not mean I agree to all the compains and get them to sign it then they can not say they have no idea what you're on about. This also could help if something fails from an insurance point of view. Cover yourself all the way and make sure they are very aware you are going to breath down their necks and push it all the way ps to get a little bit of joy make teh appointment a) first lthing b) lunch time or c) right near the end of the day, tehy annoy you you annoy them. ;-)

of course this is all ideas not legal advise but it worked for me with an issue I had right after they had to sign to say they know of the problem and the letter from the main UK centre to say basically they where talking out of a place teh sun don't shine they got on with it. Just rememeber though, never yell, never lose your temper be an angel then they can not come back at you for anything

Lorretta · 23 Aug 2003, 09:30 (Ref:696271)

Thanks to all of you that have given me advice. I am pleased to say that a Ford mechanic has agreed that there are problems with my car. It is going in to be soughted next week.Hopefully no more grinding and droning from the bearing and brakes.
Thanks again

Logrence · 23 Aug 2003, 13:21 (Ref:696515)

Grinding sounds awfully dodgy. Make sure they sort it properly!

Lorretta · 23 Aug 2003, 13:54 (Ref:696559)

I will. I'm not taking the car home until I am happy with it. They think it's the wheel bearing that is causing all the noise. Lets hope they are right.

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