Wake up, Navigator people! Brake Questions

[Fast Eddie]

Anybody have their front brakes wear out quickly? Anybody install aftermarket rotors/calipers/pads? Any tips at all?
My buddy's 'Gator doesn't seem to go very far on brakes at all. Is this common for these vehicles?
Also, any other tips or upgrades that anyone has done or knows about?
Do you guys work on your rides yourself? I want some tech!
Thanks, Eddie

[Bill Murray]

Eddie:

I am no expert and cannot speak for Gators as I never owned one, but I have had the same problem with two Continentals, one Lightning and one SHO. I also expect the same problem with our current fleet which is listed in my sig.

In short strokes, it would seem (again, no expert here) that FMC specs rotors and pads that are marginal at best. Our biggest problem has been warped rotors and that can happen at very low mileage. I will leave it to others with more knowledge to respond here, but I believe there are "police/heavy duty" parts that may alleviate this problem.

There are of course also alternatives such as Brembo, a favorite of Lightning owners, that will give much improved stopping and much less early wear problems but that is rather expensive.

Our present fleet is very current and all have rather low miles but when the dreaded shudder comes I am thinking of upgrading to Police Package level replacement parts which I believe are available for most FMC vehicles.

Hope that helps a bit.
Bill

[Fast Eddie]

Thanks, Bill. My buddy knows a Lightning freak and is going to hook me up with him so I can get some input; just found this out last night. I agree about the brakes being marginal. The endlinks were gone in the front, too. The truck is going to get a four wheel brake job and new endlinks Saturday. It goes on the road to Mississippi (from Chicago) next week.
Long term, I'm gonna check into brake options. I'm thinking that an adjustable proportioning valve will help the brakes wear more evenly from front to rear, too.
How about this? I'm gonna start hotrodding a Navigator (don't think I'm not thinking about Lightning drivetrain parts and a blower ;) )! We're gonna wake up this corner of the website with some real tech!
Fast Eddie

[ekooke]

One way to help avoid warped rotors is to not wash the vehicle immediately after a "hard run". Seriously. I read that in some car care tip column years ago. If the rotors are still hot when you wash it, they can warp. I have a '94 Mark VIII, with the first new rotors/pads replaced at 80,000 miles, so it seems to work.

[Fast Eddie]

Thanks, dude. There's a tip I haven't heard, but it makes sense.
Eddie

[Bluegrass]

Couple of things to consider. Make sure the lug nuts are not being over tightened and mechanically warping the rotors. A Kenny Bell blower would be a nice additon for power. It comes onto near full boost at about 2000 rpm.
I have also heard brake stories about the Focus.

[Lscman]

What amused me is the Navigator down the street from me. About a month after purchase in January, the throttle cable got wet and froze in the depressed position. They wrapped the Navigator around a 2' diameter Pin Oak in their front yard when it wouldn't stop. They left it there almost 8 months for legal/lawsuit issues. Several months after it happened, Ford recalled them for sticking/freezing throttles.

[DJ]

What year did Ford fix the problem. I just purchased a 2001 Navigator and live in Minnesota so I would like to know if I need to take care of this problem. Thanks.

Mark.