• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Brake Upgrade

Messages
6
Reactions
5
Points
2
Location
Nashville, TN, USA
#1
I did a search and not much popped up about a full brake upgrade. Rotors, calipers, and pads. I have the Street pack and I pushed the ST on the Tail of the Dragon this past weekend and noticed some brake fade. I’ve never had a car I could push that hard before so maybe it’s normal. I had so much fun but slowed it down after I noticed the brakes fading a little. I don’t think just upgrading to the Track Pack brakes is enough. By the way, the ST is amazing in the corners and I’m impressed with the Pirelli Scorpions! Lots of grip and only squealed if I hit the lines while the cars behind me were squealing like crazy.
 

Messages
92
Reactions
49
Points
17
Location
NJ
#2
Brake fade is usually caused by the stock rubber lines, so maybe all you need is a set of braided brake lines and new fluid/bleed job.

Unsure if anyone makes braided lines yet for this vehicle.
 

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,587
Reactions
5,362
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#3
Rotora is working on a BBK and Centric/StopTech is working on some rotor and pad upgrades but nothing it out yet. Braided stainless hoses will improve pedal feel but won’t stop fade.
 

Messages
92
Reactions
49
Points
17
Location
NJ
#4
Rotora is working on a BBK and Centric/StopTech is working on some rotor and pad upgrades but nothing it out yet. Braided stainless hoses will improve pedal feel but won’t stop fade.
The stock rubber lines will expand over repeated hard braking, which is one of the main causes of brake fade. Braided SS lines won't let that happen. Of course there is fluid fade as well, which is why I also recommended changing fluid and bleeding the brakes.

When I used to race cars/bikes, I ran stock rotors and calipers, but always changed to SS lines and better fluid, and depending on what class I was racing in, I might change pads, but not always.
 

DoingOK

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
241
Reactions
308
Points
67
Location
Smithfield, Virginia, USA
#6
Your biggest culprit was most likely the brake pads overheating and not allowing the heat to dissipate with this 4700+ lb vehicle. Boiling of the brake fluid could also be a factor depending on how much heat was generated.
 

OP
R
Messages
6
Reactions
5
Points
2
Location
Nashville, TN, USA
Thread Starter #7
Your biggest culprit was most likely the brake pads overheating and not allowing the heat to dissipate with this 4700+ lb vehicle. Boiling of the brake fluid could also be a factor depending on how much heat was generated.
She is a thicc lady lol! I thought that’s probably what it is bc a big girl probably shouldn’t be driven like that but it was so fun. Now my left front brake is grabbing and pulling to the left. I’ll get those pads changed ASAP and have the rotors looked at. My husband and son can work on the brakes. I figured with as hard as we drive them at the ST Experience and with how well she handles that the brakes would be up to par. I have a lot to learn still! I learned I can’t keep up with the Porche and Mustang 5.0 in front of me.
 

Billj747

New Member
Messages
5
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
West Palm Beach, FL, USA
#8
It doesn't surprise me the base brakes didn't hold up to the dragon. The brake upgrade has larger rotors and more aggressive pads that hold up to mild track use, so they should be fine for the dragon. First I would upgrade the pads to the high performance OEM ones.

Rubber brake lines do expand and ss lines will give you a harder pedal, but that has zero effect on boiling fluid and causing the pedal to go to the floor, or prevent them from fading which is caused by the pad from getting too hot.
 

Dgoebel57

Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
136
Reactions
89
Points
27
Location
Faribault, MN, USA
Vehicle
2020 Rapid Red ST
#9
It doesn't surprise me the base brakes didn't hold up to the dragon. ...
The OP stated he had the upgraded Street pack performance brakes.
 

Messages
52
Reactions
18
Points
7
Location
NYC, NY, USA
#11
Man I wish I got the street package.
I didnt feel like waiting and ended up getting the base st with the technology package.

Can I pay the dealer to upgrade to the street package? Or can i order the components and take it to a shop to install.
 

Messages
369
Reactions
220
Points
37
Location
Airizona
#12
Man I wish I got the street package.
I didnt feel like waiting and ended up getting the base st with the technology package.

Can I pay the dealer to upgrade to the street package? Or can i order the components and take it to a shop to install.
You could price it out, but being after the fact it might be cheaper to go with an aftermarket system that is larger. You'd really just need to price rotors and calipers for the brakes.
 

Messages
52
Reactions
18
Points
7
Location
NYC, NY, USA
#13
You could price it out, but being after the fact it might be cheaper to go with an aftermarket system that is larger. You'd really just need to price rotors and calipers for the brakes.[/QUO
what’s different with the street pack rotors?
I read that its vented rotors but mine looks vented already. Is it larger in diameter also?

edit

on closer inspection the front is vented but the rear rotors are solid,
 

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,587
Reactions
5,362
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#14
what’s different with the street pack rotors?
I read that its vented rotors but mine looks vented already. Is it larger in diameter also?
Larger front and rear and vented front and rear. Calipers are larger as well.
Your rear rotors are solid.
 

Last edited:
Messages
52
Reactions
18
Points
7
Location
NYC, NY, USA
#15
Larger front and rear and center front and rear. Calipers are larger as well.
Your rear rotors are solid.
ahhh
im trying to order the upgraded ones on the ford parts website but its so confusing
 

Messages
369
Reactions
220
Points
37
Location
Airizona
#16
ahhh
im trying to order the upgraded ones on the ford parts website but its so confusing
I would try just going to other parts places and ordering replacements for the ST with the brake package. That should give you the larger rotor sizes and all.
 

Messages
66
Reactions
31
Points
17
Location
SoCal CA
#17
I would guess the calipers are the same but the brackets are made to match different rotor sizes and brake pads.
 



Top