Brake discs "Ford Focus 2": what to choose?

The brake disc is one of the most crucial parts in the design of any car. The safety of traffic depends on its serviceability. In today's article, we will examine which brake discs ("Ford Focus" 2nd generation including) exist, how to determine wear and what to look for when buying new items.

What affects the resource?

Several factors influence this. First, the operating conditions of the vehicle. For example, with frequent trips in the rain (in regions such as the Leningrad region), the disk can easily deform as a result of the impact on the next puddle. The air temperature also affects the wear. The element experiences severe heat loads, so frequent fluctuations (narrowing-expansion of the metal) are very harmful to it. Due to such differences, the front disc brake wears out. "Ford Focus" 2 is no exception. In addition, the resource is influenced by technical parameters. This refers to engine power, wheel diameter and profile height, as well as the curb weight of the car itself. Practice shows that on cars with engine capacity of 2 and more liters the life of elements is much lower than that of one and a half liter analogues. This is due not only to the large weight of the power unit, but also to the human factor. With the same pressure on the accelerator, these machines gain a different speed. And the higher it is, the more you have to slow down. Hence the premature wear and replacement of brake discs. "Ford Focus" 2 has a wide range of engines, and this must always be considered. Great power - not only safety in overtaking, but also increased wear of "consumables". However, the most important factor affecting wear is driving style. With an aggressive driving style, you can quickly destroy not only the front, but also the rear brake discs.

"Ford Focus" 2 nd generation is supplied with elements designed for a resource of 200 thousand kilometers. However, with "Schumacher" driving this figure can easily be divided into 3.

Symptoms

How can I determine if a brake disc replacement is necessary ? "Ford Focus" 2, like other cars on the European market, has the following symptoms of wear:

• Locking, jamming the brakes when you press the pedal.
• Presence of extraneous sounds. Most often this is a grinding noise.
• Vibration in the steering wheel when braking.

However, it is not always possible to determine the fault by these characteristics. The most accurate answer to the question of whether the replacement of the rear brake discs "Ford Focus" 2, will help visual diagnostics. For more accurate results, use a caliper or micrometer to measure the residual thickness of the metal. In order to better see its condition, it is recommended to dismantle the wheel by subdividing one of the car parts. The signs of malfunction are various deformations of the metal. This can be a "warping" of the disc, scuffing, rippling, cracking. They should be checked not only from the outside, but also from the inside. For convenience, turn the steering wheel to the extreme position.

How to choose? Material

So, if the brake discs for Ford Focus 2 (restyling was carried out or not, it does not matter) have the deformations described above, they are urgently to be replaced. First of all, when buying, you should pay attention to the material, because the element is constantly exposed to thermal loads. Disks must have maximum thermal stability. Previously, many cars used cast iron as a material. However, manufacturers now use high-alloy alloys based on magnesium, cobalt, vanadium and nickel. There are also ceramic elements. Their distinguishing feature - resistance to stress and high strength. However, these are used only on racing cars, because their cost is comparable to the price of a new car. On the budget cars are not put ceramic and carbon brake discs. Ford Focus 2 is no exception.

Types of constructions

To date, there are two types of elements:

• Ventilated.
• Non-ventilated.

The first type of disc consists of two plates. The latter may have perforations and incisions. Unlike the vented, the second type is a continuous structure. In some cases, it is also provided with incisions.

The perforation itself can be either through, or simply deepened. In the first case, the hole effectively removes heat and burnout products (the friction material of the pads). However, there is a significant drawback in this design - low strength. With intensive use, the disc simply crashes.

As for the second type with deep perforations, it is more reliable, since the hole is drilled not through, but only partially. In terms of efficiency, these products are almost as good as their counterparts. For such brake discs "Ford Focus" 2 will say thank you himself, giving complete comfort from driving.

Design

These elements can be an integral and composite structure. In the first case, the disc will be cast and processed from one part of the metal. The second type is a kind of "hodgepodge", which includes a cast iron ring, bolts and an aluminum hub. Recently, instead of cast iron, use alloy steel. Strangely enough, but this type differs light weight and greater reliability. Due to the use of an aluminum alloy, heat is best removed. And this, in turn, positively affects the resource of the disk. With regard to maintenance, it is enough just to change the aluminum drive - the remaining assembly remains intact. Whole elements are completely changed.

Is it worth overpaying for perforation?

Many motorists claim that unventilated disks are the last century. This is partly true. But again, it is worth starting from the mass and power of the car. If this is a small "Focus" 1.4, which is used in a gentle, "vegetable" mode, it is not necessary to install perforated brake discs.

"Ford Focus" 2 modifications RS is equipped with a powerful 2.5-liter motor. Therefore, when replacing the drive on such a car, one should definitely buy perforated elements. This machine is already "in stock" designed for aggressive driving, and therefore the selection of drives requires special attention. Thus, the repulsion follows from the power and style of driving. The wear resistance and reliability of the disk directly depend on the intensity of the loads imposed on it. As a reasonable alternative, you can select the slotted analogs. Their design involves the application of small curved incisions that run from the center of the hub. Such discs are suitable for moderate aggressive driving.

Ventilated brake discs

"Ford Focus" of the 2nd generation can also be supplied with such elements. They, unlike analogues, have several types of ventilation ducts. The price of the product depends on their quantity, depth and method of application. Models of the budget class use direct channels. Such elements are suitable for a semi-sporty manner of driving. For sudden and frequent stops, they are unsuitable - they quickly overheat.

Radial

This is a more expensive version of ventilated discs. Here, the ventilation notches are twisted from the center of the hub to the rear of the car. Thanks to this design, the channels provide effective air loosening, which increases the degree of cooling of the disc. Radial elements are excellent for sharp and frequent stops, without causing overheating and deformation.

How to distinguish a fake?

Often we are offered to buy goods at a very attractive price. Sometimes this is really a discount from the store, but more often - a banal deception of the buyer. Under the brand name, you buy a frank "china". Purchasing new brake discs (Ford Focus 2 including), you need to carefully consider the choice.

Visually, one can distinguish the way a disk is processed. If it is a perforated version, its working surface must be covered with small grooves. In production, such elements are poured into a large form, and then sharpened on a machine. The forgery is cast entirely from the mold, without further processing. With this method of production, the reliability of the element is significantly reduced. The risk of cracks and other deformations increases many times.

The next factor is the thickness. If you compare this indicator with the original and fake, then the latter is much less. Unfair producers often save on materials. They are not stopped even by the fact that such a disk is dangerous to exploit. The main goal is to get the maximum profit with minimal investments, selling frank rubbish at an affordable price. Pay attention to the bulkheads inside the disc. On quality elements they smoothly pour into the walls. This design makes the disc resistant to wear and temperature changes. On a fake these bulkheads are poured in without a smooth transition. Well, the last factor is weight. Yes, there are lightweight disks. It is believed that the easier this element, the better. But if you take the old disk and compare its weight with the new one, it should not be easier to wear out. This is an outright fake. The non-original discs are 20-30 percent lighter than the original ones (which is also indicated by the thickness). Buy them, even at a tempting price, extremely dangerous.

Advice

So, you have chosen and installed new brake discs. "Ford Focus" 2 then must go through the run-in. At this time, it is impossible to make sharp maneuvers and braking. Lapping of the element is about 200-300 kilometers. Next, the element is used in the normal load mode. Specialists recommend that you change the discs with the pads, even if their wear and tear is minimal. It is desirable that they have the same brand. Also, do not forget to pump the brakes before leaving. The liquid itself should be changed every 2 years, as it absorbs moisture very much.