Ford Focus MK1 Brake Problems and Kwik Fit
Discussion
Hi,
I have a Ford Focus MK1 and recently went on a 250m trip, stopping off several times. Towards the very end of the trip, I went down a VERY steep hill and had the brake almost constantly on. I then first noticed a strange smell coming from the wheel, a bit like burning, but something I hadn't smelt before. I stopped the car and the smell was very strong from the driver side front wheel. I let the car cool down for a while and then continued to where we were staying (as we were 20 mins away at this point). When we got to the hotel, the smell had almost vanished from the driver wheel, but I could instead smell it just as strong from the passenger front wheel.
The next morning I took the car into Kwik Fit and explained what happened. They first said it may be the brake oil that was overheated. They stuck in a meter which confirmed what he said apparently and then they did their free brake check. I came back at the agreed time and he asked me who had fitted my brakes. I said it was done before I had the car (I've had it about 2-3 years) and he claimed that the brake pads had been fitted in the wrong way. As a result, I would need new pads and also new discs.
The car has had two MOTs, a full service (only 2 months ago) and another free brake check (by a different branch of Kwik Fit) and no one had ever said this. He said he couldn't answer why no one had noticed and said it was up to me.
Not trusting the diagnosis, I said no and they put the car back together. He said they would leave the brake pads in the same way as they had found them, but he came over again saying that actually they had put them back in correctly and it would feel a bit different. Sure enough, for a while they were making a funny sound, but this soon wore off and it's been fine ever since, with no notable difference in braking.
Is it even possible to fit brake pads the wrong way round or do you think they were trying to pull a fast one?
I wanted to ask on here for some impartial advice before I take it to another garage.
Thanks for any help.
I have a Ford Focus MK1 and recently went on a 250m trip, stopping off several times. Towards the very end of the trip, I went down a VERY steep hill and had the brake almost constantly on. I then first noticed a strange smell coming from the wheel, a bit like burning, but something I hadn't smelt before. I stopped the car and the smell was very strong from the driver side front wheel. I let the car cool down for a while and then continued to where we were staying (as we were 20 mins away at this point). When we got to the hotel, the smell had almost vanished from the driver wheel, but I could instead smell it just as strong from the passenger front wheel.
The next morning I took the car into Kwik Fit and explained what happened. They first said it may be the brake oil that was overheated. They stuck in a meter which confirmed what he said apparently and then they did their free brake check. I came back at the agreed time and he asked me who had fitted my brakes. I said it was done before I had the car (I've had it about 2-3 years) and he claimed that the brake pads had been fitted in the wrong way. As a result, I would need new pads and also new discs.
The car has had two MOTs, a full service (only 2 months ago) and another free brake check (by a different branch of Kwik Fit) and no one had ever said this. He said he couldn't answer why no one had noticed and said it was up to me.
Not trusting the diagnosis, I said no and they put the car back together. He said they would leave the brake pads in the same way as they had found them, but he came over again saying that actually they had put them back in correctly and it would feel a bit different. Sure enough, for a while they were making a funny sound, but this soon wore off and it's been fine ever since, with no notable difference in braking.
Is it even possible to fit brake pads the wrong way round or do you think they were trying to pull a fast one?
I wanted to ask on here for some impartial advice before I take it to another garage.
Thanks for any help.
It's not really possible to put pads in the wrong way round. You'd never get the locking bolt and wire clip on.
On a MK1 Focus the pads in front of and behind the brake disc are identical, and they're symetrical top to bottom, so there's nothing you can get wrong.
I can only guess they've swapped the pads round and the funny noise you heard was the pads bedding in to the disc.
As for the original problem, it may have been completely normal. All pads will overheat if given enough abuse. A heavily loaded car down a steep hill could cause the brakes to start smelling hot. Just take it as a hint that you need to back off a little.
On a MK1 Focus the pads in front of and behind the brake disc are identical, and they're symetrical top to bottom, so there's nothing you can get wrong.
I can only guess they've swapped the pads round and the funny noise you heard was the pads bedding in to the disc.
As for the original problem, it may have been completely normal. All pads will overheat if given enough abuse. A heavily loaded car down a steep hill could cause the brakes to start smelling hot. Just take it as a hint that you need to back off a little.
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