A few Q's for my Focus!

casabonka · 03-07-2010, 05:14 PM

Gday All,

Well im back from my 2100km round trip from Sydney - Surfers and back, and wow - that was fun! Sitting at 110 most of the way, it didnt feel like driving a small car, and left a lot of people behind when going up long hills! Especially the 3 days we stayed just outside of Murwillimbah with no speed limits, that was heaps of fun - I did of course drive to the road conditions!

Anyway, back OT -

I have been talking about brakes before (a few times I know), and now after my trip, my fronts are definitely due. There has been a lot of talk about DBA/EBC combo, and whilst talking to my mechanic he priced me on RDA Rotors, and Bendix pads;
Bendix I know, and have used before in other cars, RDA though I dont know much about. He is assuring me they are as good as DBA, but Im not 100%.

Also, Im thinking about a sway bar - My car (06 LS LX) is stock height, so Im not sure if Im wasting time/$$ by going with one? I was reading in Fast Fours the other day that a Front Wheel drive needs a back sway bar??

I look forwards to hearing your thoughts!!

Cheers
Chris

melbzetec · 03-07-2010, 06:06 PM

I agree with your mechanic.

I had RDA slotted rotors on my car for a couple of years, and was very very happy with them.

I went with RDA, Greenstuff pads, and braided hoses about 3 years ago.

casabonka · 03-07-2010, 06:10 PM

Thanks for that - Had any experience with Bendix to compare to the Greenstuff pads??

melbzetec · 03-07-2010, 08:29 PM

No experience with the Bendix...sorry

DBourne · 04-07-2010, 09:53 AM

EBC pads are a mile better than bendix in my opinion.

RDA are a cheaper rotor than DBA. I personally prefer DBA, but I think it's just because they are aussie (false comfort perhaps).

upgraded rear anti roll (sway) bar is a great idea, and it made my XR5 feel a lot nicer in the twisties

melbzetec · 04-07-2010, 10:08 AM

Think RDA is Australian as well.
And for my Focus, you couldn't get any of the fancy (eg Kangaroo Paw) designs from DBA, just a basic rotor...that's why I went RDA.

Maybe it's different for the current Focus

casabonka · 04-07-2010, 07:41 PM

What about an upgraded sway bar with standard height suspension Srg?
I think the price diff was about $60 a rotor between RDA and DBA. but pretty certain they aren't aussie made, but nothing in the car is anyway

DBourne · 04-07-2010, 07:58 PM

I have standard height in my 5, only change suspension wise is the swaybar.

It helps the rear come around the corner nicer, kinda hard to type, but you'd pick the difference the first corner you went into with some mumbo

casabonka · 04-07-2010, 08:28 PM

Cool, thx for that!

melbzetec · 04-07-2010, 09:07 PM

My bad. RDA (Rotors & Drums Australia) is an Australian company, but their rotors are imported.

casabonka · 04-07-2010, 10:23 PM

btw, with the anti roll bars, is Whiteline the safest bet? About $250 according to their website.

DZFord · 04-07-2010, 10:24 PM

I looked on many forums when I was researching brakes and heard RDA rotors described as everything from "as good, if not better than DBA" to "imported crap." There was less disagreement about DBA's quality of manufacturing, hence my choice.

casabonka · 04-07-2010, 11:20 PM

thanks DZ, likewise, have heard alot more on the downside of RDA, but only good stuff about DBA!! so difficult

DBourne · 05-07-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casabonka

btw, with the anti roll bars, is Whiteline the safest bet? About $250 according to their website.

Yup that's the best bet.

Go DBA if you can afford it

casabonka · 05-07-2010, 05:44 PM

Got a price on the brakes, RDA/Green Stuff, $680 fitted for the fronts.
No price on the DBA from him - im struggling to find someone who does DBA as well as greenstuff, there isnt too many people who stock the EBC gear im finding.

DZFord · 05-07-2010, 05:54 PM

Have you tried the site sponsors? Race Brakes sydney?

Your quote seems a little on the expensive side. I'd shop around a bit more.

casabonka · 05-07-2010, 06:45 PM

oops, always forget the sponsors. will give them a buzz tomoz.
thx again guys, this really is such a great forum!!

DBourne · 05-07-2010, 08:00 PM

Racebrakes are tops, and if he doesn't have it in stock, will get it quickly.

Actually need to get some EBC redstuff pads off him

casabonka · 06-07-2010, 01:24 PM

Thanks DZ, Rang Race brakes, $575 fitted ($100 of that is labor) so should have that done in the next week when I have some time off!

Thanks again, and now to investigate the sway bar a bit more!

casabonka · 06-07-2010, 01:58 PM

Also, forgot to note that Matthew from Race Brakes recommended not using DBA with green stuff.
he said they are having a few issues of late with residue building up in the slots, and causing shimming. he said the RDA's as they are a softer material aren't having this issue.

Apparently its an issue with DBA slotted with Greenstuff or certain Bendix pads.

interesting!

DZFord · 06-07-2010, 04:23 PM

That's a better price, it pays to shop around.

And thanks for the heads up with the DBA/Greenstuff combo. I haven't had any trouble thankfully but I will post on here if anything pops up.

XR5-Boy · 06-07-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casabonka

Also, forgot to note that Matthew from Race Brakes recommended not using DBA with green stuff.
he said they are having a few issues of late with residue building up in the slots, and causing shimming. he said the RDA's as they are a softer material aren't having this issue.

Apparently its an issue with DBA slotted with Greenstuff or certain Bendix pads.

interesting!

Thanks for the heads up. I was considering either the slotted or normal 400 series DBAs so i'll know to avoid the green stuff

casabonka · 06-07-2010, 07:14 PM

I just cant wait to get them fitted! Tax group certificate arrived today, so next sat is looking good!

DBourne · 07-07-2010, 10:33 AM

Awesome bud!
Might give Mat a ring and see if he can put some redstuffs on for me on the same sat, can hang out n chat if he can

casabonka · 07-07-2010, 12:05 PM

Well im hoping to order them on Monday, so as long as they can come in by then, sounds good! You can make me want an xr5 even more :P

casabonka · 10-07-2010, 01:03 AM

brakes all booked in for next sat!! seeya then srg!

DBourne · 11-07-2010, 04:58 PM

Sweet, I'm rocking up @ 8.30

casabonka · 12-07-2010, 09:25 PM

Alright - 1 last Q!!
I've been looking at the console cover where the ciggie lighter is, but not sure what its called so i can search properly on ebay (uk).
Does anyone have any ideas what this is called, or where I can get it from??

thx again!

#Russ#Es# · 12-07-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casabonka

Alright - 1 last Q!!
I've been looking at the console cover where the ciggie lighter is, but not sure what its called so i can search properly on ebay (uk).
Does anyone have any ideas what this is called, or where I can get it from??

thx again!

Not sure if this is any help? http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11302451

Will keep a look out.

casabonka · 12-07-2010, 10:06 PM

ahh awesome - least i now know im looking for an ashtray!!

THANKS!! No luck on ebay uk, but will keep an eye out