[ajc6882]

So I installed some KYB G2 shocks in the rear, then took off the rear wheels to clean out the drum brakes and added some Quiet Brake by CRC to the friction points. Then I decided that I would also scrap, wirebrush and paint the drums to freshen the rest of the area up using some satin black paint. So here are some pictures of before and after. You'll see the rusty drums before and after and you'll notice the silver KYB shocks. Now all I have to do is change out the front struts.

Rusty Drums with new shocks

Painted Drums with new shocks

 

[US MARINER 1]

WOW! Great turnout! P P

 

[KCCO_773]

Nice job!! Looks Great! :thumb:

 

[goldash03]

I love those wheels.......
good job!! :rockon:

 

[ajc6882]

Thanks. now to do the front struts. Does anyone know what parts Ill need to replace when I change the front struts?

 

[SUVord]

Thanks. now to do the front struts. Does anyone know what parts Ill need to replace when I change the front struts?

First off all I must say what a good and neat job you did at the rear. :thumb: :thumb:
For the front struts, two are the options:
1/Buy and change the whole unit as one, (spring and dumper).Something you can do yourself, following the manual's instructions.
2/Change just the dumpers.Not recommended if you don't have any experience on this and can be dangerous handling the spring compressor.
Since the car is a 2004 Escape, it is recommended after all these years to change the struts' top mounts with their bearing.
Also check the condition of the sway bar links and the two bushings of the sway bar.
When everything is done and finished the car has to be taken for alignment.

 

[Ajax]

Looks good, I painted my drums as well as my front calipers, both black.

 

[ajc6882]

First off, thanks for all your replies! I already changed the sway links at 80k with Moog with zerk grease fittings, and Energy suspensions urethane sway bar bushings with greaseable zerk fittings. By the way these bushings are three times as thick as the OEM bushings and are probabbly 4 times as firm. Making a huge difference in cornering performance. The oem bushings are about a 1/8 inch thick and very soft. From the side view of the OEM bushing they look 1/4" thick, but the bushing overhangs the bracket and if you pull them out an take a look at them they are 1/8" thick. I haven't changed struts since 2003 and I couldn't remember everything I needed. Thanks.

 

[ajc6882]

Looks good, I painted my drums as well as my front calipers, both black.

You have a 05 right? I thought the rear brakes were disc on your Escape. Do you mean the rotors?

 

[rehctelf]

You have a 05 right? I thought the rear brakes were disc on your Escape. Do you mean the rotors?

Gen 2 XLT's like my 06' still get drums for the back, only the limiteds get discs all the way around.

 

[SUVord]

...and discs or no discs at the back, there are still drums, (little they may be), for the hand- brake.

 

[MichaelJD1980]

You have a 05 right? I thought the rear brakes were disc on your Escape. Do you mean the rotors?

Gen 2 XLT's like my 06' still get drums for the back, only the limiteds get discs all the way around.

Some XLT's had discs all the way around. My wife's '05 XLT Sport does, and so does my aunt & uncles's '06 XLT.

 

[rehctelf]

Hmm... maybe it depends on whether it's a 4X4?

 

[Ajax]

I have no idea what criteria Ford used to put drums or discs on Escapes, and, from what I hear, the engineers didn't either. But I definitely have drums, most of the Escapes I see do judging from brake dust on the front wheels only :lol:

 

[Mantruck101]

Hmm... maybe it depends on whether it's a 4X4?

I believe you are correct.

 

[ajc6882]

Just FYI Greenstuff pads from EBC are Kevlar based and make hardly no dust. Great if your changing your pads in the future. Also I have had four wheel vented disc brakes on my Mitsubishi 3000gt and barely had any dust on the rears. But it may be associated with 4wd. We do know that they did put drums on all 01-04.