Brake Pad Decisions

[jasoneg]

I have a 2008 Edge with 242,000 miles!  I need to replace the front brake pads (ceramic now).  I have Raybestos Element 3 pads in the rear (have about 2000miles on them).  I was going to use the same on the front, but I've seen some bad reviews about them, so now I am not so sure.  The brakes on this Edge have never been great in my opinion.  Had the brake booster replaced (it went bad) about 7 years ago and it didn't make any difference. Looking for some more stopping power if possible. Any thoughts on Raybestos? or something else?? Maybe semi metallic? 

 

Thanks

Edited Sunday at 07:57 PM by jasoneg

[fishx65]

I've always preferred Wagner Thermoquiet pads for their quality.

[1004ron]

Expect you'll get an abundance of personal preferences presented - here's mine.

 

I have Akebono on my Edge Sport and wife's BMW X5 and very happy with them, and the bonus is "no dust".

 

https://www.akebonobrakes.com/domestic

[STBEAST]

Ford OEM. Can't go wrong

[enigma-2]

For a 2008 Ford Edge the  "PowerStop Z23 Evolution Sport Brake Kits" are considered the absolute best aftermarket replacement. (heh)

 

(Make certain you're sitting down before clicking the link to the Powerstop page.)

 

https://share.google/evDGs27DahsrqDt07

 

Before I go any further, I need to point out to  remember that the OEM brakes are sufficient at locking the wheels. At that point, the brakes are no longer any consideration whatsoever. Then it falls to the width of the tires and the tread depth and design as to stopping the car. Any braking before reaching total lock up is simply the amount of pressure you apply to the peddle. (I'm big on OEM parts )

 

Personally, I have a 2009 a Lincoln MKX which (I believe) has the same braking setup as your 2008 Edge.

 

I went with the Motorcraft pads and rotors, and I'm completely satisfied with them. (As a sidenote, my rear pads also had plenty of life on them (approx 110k miles) but I replaced them anyways. Glad I did.

 

So, there are a couple of items you need to consider for your 2008 Edge.

 

First is whether you have a FWD or a RWD car. There's a slight difference in the shape of the rear pads. (Theres also a change in the caliper pin torque specs between the two.)

 

Also, Ford instituted a rolling change on Edge brake systems during the 2008 model year. You should make a note of the month and year of the build of your car (this was a mid-year change.) Check the manufacturer's the manufacturing sticker located inside your driver's door jamb to identify your exact build month and year. This ensures the anti-rattle clips included in your Motorcraft pad kit will snap

correctly into your calipers.

 

Last consideration, if your car has a factory towing package and you tow or haul heavy loads. 

 

For OEM Motorcraft performance, best for Daily Driving (non-towing) would be the standard premium BR series.

For FWD or RWD 2008 Ford Edge: 

FRONT PADS: BR-1258-D (fits all 2008  regardless of drivetrain layout. It includes all necessary anti-rattle replacement hardware clips.)

 

REAR PADS: FWD:  Motorcraft 7U2Z-2V200-D.

 

REAR PADS for AWD: BR-13396. (Do not use this set on FWD as it is designed with different backing plate alignment tabs specific to All-Wheel Drive.)

 

According to the literature, they "deliver an incredibly quiet ride, low brake dust, and long-lasting pad life without wearing down your rotors prematurely."

 

The best pads for towing & hauling are the Motorcraft Super Duty (BRSD) Series. Again, from the literature, "these semi-metallic pads are constructed to handle intense heat, offering superior resistance to brake fade when moving down long downhill grades under load. The tradeoff, they generate darker, more visible dust on your front wheels and are more prone to occasional cold-weather squealing."

 

(These are what I have (I also have the factory towing package.) The dust isn't bad and the braking is sufficient for daily driving. (But, then again, I don't drive aggressively.) No complaints at all.

 

For rotors.

For FWD Front Brake Rotors with 12.60-inch  diameter are the Motorcraft BRRC-72. (These are interchangeable with BRR-241).

 

For AWD, Rear Brake Rotors  with solid discs, use Motorcraft BRRC-85. These are interchangeable with BRR-226).

 

For AWD, the front are the same as the FWD.

 

For the rear with AWD, use the Motorcraft BR-13396. These are also interchangeable with the 7U2Z-2V200-E). The main difference i believe is that these use specialized pad backing plate tabs, which are meant to anchor into AWD rear brake calipers and do not fit FWD cars.

 

Beware of any after market kits that try to sell you 'one size fits all, as there are differences. 

 

.

 

Edited yesterday at 05:00 AM by enigma-2

[jasoneg]

6 hours ago, enigma-2 said:

For a 2008 Ford Edge the  "PowerStop Z23 Evolution Sport Brake Kits" are considered the absolute best aftermarket replacement. (heh)

 

(Make certain you're sitting down before clicking the link to the Powerstop page.)

 

https://share.google/evDGs27DahsrqDt07

 

Before I go any further, I need to point out to  remember that the OEM brakes are sufficient at locking the wheels. At that point, the brakes are no longer any consideration whatsoever. Then it falls to the width of the tires and the tread depth and design as to stopping the car. Any braking before reaching total lock up is simply the amount of pressure you apply to the peddle. (I'm big on OEM parts )

 

Personally, I have a 2009 a Lincoln MKX which (I believe) has the same braking setup as your 2008 Edge.

 

I went with the Motorcraft pads and rotors, and I'm completely satisfied with them. (As a sidenote, my rear pads also had plenty of life on them (approx 110k miles) but I replaced them anyways. Glad I did.

 

So, there are a couple of items you need to consider for your 2008 Edge.

 

First is whether you have a FWD or a RWD car. There's a slight difference in the shape of the rear pads. (Theres also a change in the caliper pin torque specs between the two.)

 

Also, Ford instituted a rolling change on Edge brake systems during the 2008 model year. You should make a note of the month and year of the build of your car (this was a mid-year change.) Check the manufacturer's the manufacturing sticker located inside your driver's door jamb to identify your exact build month and year. This ensures the anti-rattle clips included in your Motorcraft pad kit will snap

correctly into your calipers.

 

Last consideration, if your car has a factory towing package and you tow or haul heavy loads. 

 

For OEM Motorcraft performance, best for Daily Driving (non-towing) would be the standard premium BR series.

For FWD or RWD 2008 Ford Edge: 

FRONT PADS: BR-1258-D (fits all 2008  regardless of drivetrain layout. It includes all necessary anti-rattle replacement hardware clips.)

 

REAR PADS: FWD:  Motorcraft 7U2Z-2V200-D.

 

REAR PADS for AWD: BR-13396. (Do not use this set on FWD as it is designed with different backing plate alignment tabs specific to All-Wheel Drive.)

 

According to the literature, they "deliver an incredibly quiet ride, low brake dust, and long-lasting pad life without wearing down your rotors prematurely."

 

The best pads for towing & hauling are the Motorcraft Super Duty (BRSD) Series. Again, from the literature, "these semi-metallic pads are constructed to handle intense heat, offering superior resistance to brake fade when moving down long downhill grades under load. The tradeoff, they generate darker, more visible dust on your front wheels and are more prone to occasional cold-weather squealing."

 

(These are what I have (I also have the factory towing package.) The dust isn't bad and the braking is sufficient for daily driving. (But, then again, I don't drive aggressively.) No complaints at all.

 

For rotors.

For FWD Front Brake Rotors with 12.60-inch  diameter are the Motorcraft BRRC-72. (These are interchangeable with BRR-241).

 

For AWD, Rear Brake Rotors  with solid discs, use Motorcraft BRRC-85. These are interchangeable with BRR-226).

 

For AWD, the front are the same as the FWD.

 

For the rear with AWD, use the Motorcraft BR-13396. These are also interchangeable with the 7U2Z-2V200-E). The main difference i believe is that these use specialized pad backing plate tabs, which are meant to anchor into AWD rear brake calipers and do not fit FWD cars.

 

Beware of any after market kits that try to sell you 'one size fits all, as there are differences. 

 

.

 

Thanks for all the information.  My Edge is FWD and has a towing package. We do not tow anything.  I drive it a little aggressively. My wife does not (lol). We have owned the 08 since day 1, we ordered it, and it still looks new. I've always felt the brakes were inadequate. They just never "grabbed" well, if that makes sense. Maybe that's just how they are??? The stopping always seemed to take longer than it should. I had a 14 Edge, and it always stopped much better.  I can't seem to find a semi metallic Ford motorcraft pad and the regular pads I believe are organic material? I had the rear wheel bearing done a few months back and the brakes needed to be changed, so we put the Element 3 pads from Raybestos on the rear. Now I see Raybestos filed for Bankruptcy.  I was going to get the Centric semi metallic for the front, but that is part of Raybestos! Ugh.  Now we need front wheel bearings and an outer tie rod end (doing both) and the brakes have about 50% pad left, but I figured I would replace them since everything comes off anyways and there would be no labor charge. At this point with 242,000 miles I figured it would be the last brake job.  Also getting new Pirelli Scorpion AS+3 tires, my Michelins are almost 10 years old! So, Im getting ready to drop about $1600 on everything. Fingers crossed she lasts a few more years!

[enigma-2]

On 6/21/2026 at 3:41 PM, jasoneg said:

Any thoughts on Raybestos? or something else?? Maybe semi metallic? 

I believe that the Motorcraft Super Duty BRSD pads are semi-metallic pads. They are intended for Edges & MKXs with the factory tow pkg. (More fade resistant and better stopping power under heavier loads.) It's what i have on my 2009 MKX; and I'm satisfied.

 

Have the Pirelli Scorpion's as well. Very satisfied. Years ago ran Michelins. Good tires for the first 20k or so, then got through the great soft rubber in the tread and into the rubber that gives it the extra long milage and couldn't stand the roughness and loudness. 

 

You're going to find the Pirelli's are really good tires and stay consistent throughout their life. 

 

A recommendation if I may. Have the break fluid changed  when you so the brake job.

 

People don't realize that brake fluid gets scalding hot in use, and it's hygroscopic, meaning it naturally acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture from the surrounding air.

 

As moisture accumulates in the brake fluid, and gets heated over and over, it starts to break down. This drastically lowers the fluid's boiling point and cause the brake fluid to boil under hard use.

 

Boiling turns the liquid into gas bubbles and because gas compresses easily, your brakes will begin to feel soft.

 

This is another important factor which can (significantly) increase your stopping distance.