Doing brakes yourself

[MetalsGeek]

Don't forget that the most expensive brake repairs come from internal system corrosion (ABS pump/valve unit is not serviceable). Ford's low-viscosity DOT4 fluid absorbs moisture from the air and distributes it throughout the system. You should ideally flush your brake fluid every 2 to 3 years to prevent corrosion. Inexpensive testers are available to measure the moisture in your brake fluid. They're not perfect, but "good enough" to tell you when you NEED to do a flush. When the fluid starts to change color, you are already too late.

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[inline_five]

Might be time for me to get a controller that will execute the brake service/maintenance mode. My Subaru needs it as well, I didn't want to invest $300-400 on an OBD tool, so I bought all the rotors/pads myself. Did the front brakes myself, and then handed the rear parts to a friendly shop and they did the rear for $150.

Theoretically the tool would pay for itself in 2 uses. Anybody know how expensive of an OBD tool to pull off the Maverick's brake maintenance mode?

All Fords are the same, and no tool is needed.

Electronic parking brake

Some vehicles have an issue with going into the mode itself. If so, you can unplug the parking brake motors in the rear and just use a standard brake tool to wind the calipers in I believe. The fronts push in like normal IIRC.

 

[inline_five]

Don't forget that the most expensive brake repairs come from internal system corrosion (ABS pump/valve unit is not serviceable). Ford's low-viscosity DOT4 fluid absorbs moisture from the air and distributes it throughout the system. You should ideally flush your brake fluid every 2 to 3 years to prevent corrosion. Inexpensive testers are available to measure the moisture in your brake fluid. They're not perfect, but "good enough" to tell you when you NEED to do a flush. When the fluid starts to change color, you are already too late.

This is an excellent point and often forgotten. Ford's owner manual actually states to replace brake fluid every three (3) years on the Maverick.

Older Priuses have had issues with their brake actuators failing which is a very expensive repair. For many, it means totaling the vehicle due to age and cost to repair. I would guess with proper brake fluid exchanges the deterioration would be minimized and would greatly extend the life of the system.

 

[TKranbuhl]

I see a lot of commercials on TV for Brakes 4 Less. That would be the first place to check. I may not use them but it's a place to start.

 

[HeyBales]

Might be time for me to get a controller that will execute the brake service/maintenance mode. My Subaru needs it as well, I didn't want to invest $300-400 on an OBD tool, so I bought all the rotors/pads myself. Did the front brakes myself, and then handed the rear parts to a friendly shop and they did the rear for $150.

Theoretically the tool would pay for itself in 2 uses. Anybody know how expensive of an OBD tool to pull off the Maverick's brake maintenance mode?

Any scanner that works with Forscan or Forscan Lite on mobile device - will allow that program/app to do the Service for that mode enable/disable.
That allows avoiding the convoluted process that appears to required 3 hands at some point.

Obviously that doesn't help the Subaru situation, but some other scanner apps that work with the same OBD adapters also have service modes for same make/models. Not sure if the same cheap $7 Forscan is. And you'd want to confirm the app does the make/model, or ask around.

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