Link to SMH Article


Ford detects brake problem

SMH
Andra Jackson
May 25, 2007 - 4:40PM

The Ford Motor company is replacing the brakes hose on its popular BF and BA Falcon models Australia-wide after a brake durability problem was detected.

Owners of the models are being asked to bring their cars into Ford dealerships "as a matter of course" to have the rear brakes hose replaced at no cost.

Ford public affairs spokesman Edward Finn said about 200,000 cars are involved, covering the Falcon range from the BA which came on the market in September 2002 to the BF Mark 2 which was released last March.

"The rear brake hoses on certain sedan models are being replaced because in certain circumstances they wear excessively and the brakes lose their operating effectiveness," Mr Finn said.

He stressed the brake replacements which began this week are taking place as a safety program and are not a recall.

So far the problem has been detected in around 1000 cars.

The brake problem will be noticeable, and accompanied by a warning light, but will still allow the car to stop within the prescribed distance, Mr Finn said.

The problem of excessive wear on the brake lining is believed to stem from the high mileage the vehicles tend to be put to over different road surfaces.

Another 20,000 vehicles in New Zealand will also be subjected for brake replacements.

So if your car doesn't display any symptoms of this brake "problem" do they still replace the hose or is it a blanket fix regardless?

Here is some more.

Ford to fix Falcon brakes
FORD Australia has launched a service campaign - not a recall - to replace brake hoses in 200,000 Falcons. The company said the fix covers BA and BF models produced from September 2002 to March 2007. Ford Australia said the potentially faulty brake hoses would be fixed when Falcon owners next had their cars.

Gimme a brake: Hoses will be replaced at the next service.

Ford to replace brake hoses in 200,000 Falcons

By JAMES STANFORD 25 May 2007

FORD Australia has launched a service campaign - not a recall - to replace brake hoses in 200,000 Falcons.

The company said the fix covers BA and BF models produced from September 2002 to March 2007.

Ford Australia said the potentially faulty brake hoses would be fixed when Falcon owners next had their cars serviced.

Ford Australia spokesman Edward Finn said 1000 Falcon owners had experienced ?brake fade? from worn brake hoses, which led the company to initiate the service campaign.

?0.5 per cent of the population of Falcon cars (BA to BF) have experienced this occurrence,? Mr Finn said.

?When it does occur, there is a softening of the brake pedal. The car still operates within all of the ADR (Australian Design Rule) requirements, braking within the prescribed distances.?

Mr Finn said the fact that the cars still operated safely meant Ford Australia could replace the rear brake hoses during scheduled servicing rather than initiating a recall.

He said that any BA-BF Falcon customers who feel their brakes fade should contact the Ford customer relations centre or their nearest Ford dealer in order to have their vehicle checked.

Mr Finn said Ford Australia was not aware of any accidents or injuries relating to brake fade problems involving the 200,000 cars affected by the service program.



Note to myself
So if we say, 50 dollars per Car x 200,000 cars = 10,000.000 Dollars <style_emoticons/default/blush.gif>

Ford Australia spokesman Edward Finn said 1000 Falcon owners had experienced ?brake fade? from worn brake hoses, which led the company to initiate the service campaign.

I love that brake fade one.. So when i thrash the car it's because of the hose needs fixing not that the brakes are sh*t.

Anyone know if this includes FPV's with brembo's?

"stops in prescribed distance" MMM
My rear right brake house just turned to crap, brake fluid totally pouring out, eating up the rim lol. had to use sequential shift and stamp on the brakes like no tommorow, SCARY!. had to get it towed.
Mind you Im lucky, My Ford dealership is excellent and sorted it all out very quickly. Just glad no brake fluid got on the paint, otherwise id have a silver undercoat car!

The campaign isn't for Premium or Brembo brake systems as they use different hoses already.The campaign is for sedans only and is only applicable to those vehicle identified by Ford.They are not contacting owners as the applicable vehicles will be identified when it is presented at the dealership for servicing.However if you have your vehicle serviced elsewhere then simply contact your nearest dealer and they can tell you if it is applicable to your vehicle.Unfortunately as much as i know a lot of members dispise thier dealers the repairs have to be completed by an authorised dealer.

Who cares, just go buy a braid stainless hose aftermarket and fit it yourself it your competant in doing so, if not get your local brake tech to fit one.

Iam running braids on the front with my AP Racing upgrade which was fitted by the brock shop and I can tell you this is a huge improvement over the factory XR brakes.
And not to mention about half the price.
It's a pitty when you have to buy outside Ford for replacement or upgrade due to the redictless price's Ford charge.

I was Quoted for full set of Brembo brake pads for $2300.
The fronts on my AP Racing are only $160 for replacement, go figure Ford.
It's robbery.

Itf I was to bring my 2003 XR6 Turbo in for this service and have this brake hose/s fitted would Ford rebleed and top up my fluid with my choice of fluid Iam using, being AP Racing fluid.
Don't think so

As much as I love my Ford, replacement parts pricing is disgusting.

Yes they would if you supplied it.But maybe you wouldn't be happy unless they went out and purchased a 200 ltr drum just for you because you're special.As for the rest of the dribble,who really cares what brakes you run, it has nothing to do with the topic.As usual Ford are trying to do the right thing, and other forum members are trying to relay the information, but in the eyes of those who hold such disdane towards them will always critisize everything they do at every chance they get.

Maybe wouldn't get critisized it they didn't charge like a wounded bull.

My statement was eg of the over priced parts and dribble as you call it.
If Ford Australia would look at its replacement parts costs then maybe they would do as well as other manufacturer's.

Another example is I had a 88 TXR Turbo and asked price for workshop manual, was quoted $380. I went to Mazda and it cost me $160.
The only differance being the name.

I feel the Ford product is of better Quality than other manufacturer's and would deem to be slightly dearer in price but not double.

Can you have Ford order that 200 ltr drum of AP Racing fluid in for me to do my brake hose replacement. It only took 750ml to flush when the AP Racing kit was fitted by the Brock Shop, I suppose this is why Ford charges like it does as it orders in more than is required.


And Iam sorry to distract to Fords high priced parts and will leave you to advertising the recall of this brake problem before anyone gets killed or badly hurt.

Thanks mate

Sorry if this is a repost.

From here: The Age article

More info from Taxi Coucil of NSW

Includes images etc.

The reality is that the rear brake hoses are too short. If the car is supported with the suspension at "full droop" the rear hoses kink at the ends close to the fittings. Presumably the same could happen during enterprising driving when the extremes of suspension travel are reached.

This problem has been seen on utes too.

just took my car into ford today to get some warranty issues fixed and they replaced the rear brake hoses

Hey Fordtech, my car is a BA Mk I with Premium brakes. I called up Ford and gave them my rego number which they looked up on their computer... They said my car needs the brake hose upgrade.

I thought I may need the hose upgrade as the BA Premium brake package still uses standard rear calipers, but just with the grooved rotors. Do the premium brakes have different rear hoses? I compared mine to a friends BA standard brakes and the hoses look identical?

Cheers,
Ross

My phoon has lost quite a bit of bite in the braking. I've been told it may be my master cylinder though. Will check on this too.

The BA Premium Brake package uses standard BA rear callipers and non standard dual elliptically grooved rear rotors. The system also includes, amongst other system specific elements, low expansion hoses, though whether these were fitted to front and rear or just the front brakes I cannot say.

Perhaps someone can confirm if the low expansion hoses are fitted to the rear brakes, and if so, that the replacement hoses supplied in the safety recall are of the same type as those originally fitted to the vehicle?





Regards,
aa








Regards,
aa

Saggy muffler, steering creak, front end clunk only in the wet and now rear brake lines. I spose we'd rather know about it then not know at all.

I just took my BA XR6T into my local ford dealer over here in NZ for a service. I asked about this brake hose issue , they swore black and blue that they knew nothing about it. Reckon I should be giving Ford NZ a call?

Are they optioned up differently by default in NZ - as in already have the premium brakes fitted?

Sorry about the delayed reply Ross.Your dealer is right.After reading the campaign details it also applies to Premium brake systems as well.Brembo's are the only brake system that are exempt.

Thanks for that

Mine went in today for the new hoses but they ran out. Apparanly one dealer has 500 cars that need the hoses and the supplier over supplied the drivers side hoses. And you cant do one without the other.

Nothing like having two right shoes! Keep up the good work Ford

As you can see by my Avatar I gave the Ford Std brakes the flick first time the shudder started.

I still have my car serviced but the local dealer. I guess I will have to be carefull they dont replace the braided PBR hoses on the rear with Ford hoses. Of course the Technician is smart enough to realise the difference.

Just like I have to supply the PBR brake fluid to have it changed when required.

I asked the local dealer about this brake prob last week and they didn't know much about it and then went on to say that if it was a problem, they hadn't been sent any parts to fix anything anyway. I was told I should just keep calling back to see what was happening if I was worried about it. Now that's an interesting way to handle problems with brakes They're not all that important anyway are they? I guess we only have to be concerned about the throttle pedal.

Thats a brave man who has there car serviced by Ford. Must be rich too.

How much is a Set of " braided PBR hoses " . That is 2 Hoses only please.

Thank you

hmmm brakes on my 03...soften up sometimes...i might give them a call during the week to get it checked out....they dont charge anything right?



thanks
dragz.

Its free, all covered by warranty.

I think braided hoses are about $50 each. I think one of the wreckers (FTG) had them for $280 for the set.

Love the way this months RACV mag mentions the recall. Symptoms are a soft pedal and the accompanied warning light. but the car will still stop OK.

As if you would consider ignoring warning lights in the first place.

But just as a matter of course take the vehicle to a Ford dealer for repair.

I think it should be up to Ford to do this as an immediated and written recall to all owners.

As the topic description states I recieved a call from Ford late last week asking me if i would like to have my rear brake line replaced free of charge.

Does anyone know what was the problem & what are they replacing??


For the record I own a BA late series 2.



Regards


TUFXRT6

Something to do with the rear brake lines cracking or not being long enough I think. I just got mine replaced.

From what my ford man told me, it is not urgent, and affects only some cars. Call 13-hedfuk, and give em your vin and they can tell you whether your car is in the recall batch. Mine was done at the it's last service, almost 9 months after the recall was announced.

Yeah they told me it was usually done at the next sheduled service, however they didn't feel compelled to tell anyone about it unless they asked or had an issue with their rear brakes.

They are doing mine next time I take it in. But I've got the phoon now so I never drive it and can't be stuffed taking it in so I'll do it just before I sell it.

Apparently the rear brake lines aren't long enough and when the rear of the car is jacked up, the lines can stretch and possibly damage them.

My car has been to ford twice since this recall and both times the hoses have been on back order and they can't do it. Seems a bit of a joke that they can't keep stock of a recall item.

Hi All,
I Just got a 05 BA XR6. and is still under new car warranty. Should I take it to my ford dealer and have them replace the brake lines..???
I am new to this site and still not sure what to do here so plzz bear with me..lol
Cheers and thanx
Buzz

Definately get them to check to see if it's done.

Still waiting for mine too - must be the slowest recall ever

This cover cars out of warranty also?

yep

Does it cover the hoses on the brembos too?