Ok, is it true to replace the ball joints (99' Explorer Sport) you have to replace the control arm as well? This is what I'm being told, to the tune of over $600+. Is $120-$150 too much for rear brakes?

    On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 19:27:22 -0000 "Toni Eichholz" <

No, I didn't do anything bad... My mechanic that looked at it before I bought it said it would need rear brakes in about a month or so... He's been super busy so I was going to try another route...guess Goodyear won't be getting my business.

I did mine myself - Fall of 2003. Cost me about $30 for Rabestos premium pads, about $2.00 for caliper lube to sparingly put on pad to guide contact surfaces, and about $3.50 for enough brake fluid to flush the system. I pulled the rotors, cleaned everything, and replaced the parking brake shoes at the same time - another $16.00  George -96 EB    On Fri, 19 Mar 2004 13:24:59 -0000 "Toni Eichholz" <

Yes that is way to much. Get a large pair of channel locks and buy a pair of rivetless pads (the best ones at autozone) for about 20.00. Easy to do. I did it in florida on our vacation

Hi, Chris - Other than being able to wear them down a bit more, Why are glued pads (rivetless) better than riveted? I  once had  a pair of rear glued (rivetless)  name brand brake shoe linings come off  the shoes under an extreme braking situation - seems got hot enough to soften the adhesive. Loose lining jammed up between leading shoe and the drum, locked the wheel - scary.  Since then, I have avoided glued on, even though I recognize that modern adhesives are a lot better. Regards, George   On Sun, 21 Mar 2004 20:48:59 -0800 (PST) Chris Robertson <

That is scary, yet I had the same experience with a riveted pad, where the front broke off from a crack leading from the rivet. They are thin around the rivet area. The piece broke off and locked up my right front. The main reason I say rivetless, is because if you wear the pad to far the rivet tend to eat into the rotor. I know....if you keep a good check on the breaks, or get them fixed when you hear them squeal the you won't have a problem, but the reality of it is, your wife doesn't tell you when it is squealing and some tend to squeal after it is to late. I've use the ones at autozone and haven't had to change them in years, or about 70k and the work well and have worn very little.