Mike's 2018 CX-9 Signature

[sm1ke]

Watch out for the Coolant leak at cylinder head, it’s not a matter of if but when and it can catch fire

I'd appreciate it if you didn't spam this, or any other thread, with your unrelated comments. You've already started a thread about this, keep the discussion there so it doesn't detract from other topics. It will also be easier for you to keep track of replies if there are only one or two threads. Posting the same message in multiple threads is spamming, and those messages will be dealt with as such.

Further. while I can see that the CX-9 in the video you posted did catch fire, you have no evidence or proof to make a statement like "it's not a matter of if but when" and "it can catch fire". The video was posted without context, and lacking a lot of important information. It's good to be aware of it, but without more information or reports of the same issue, I find it more likely to be a one-off, highly unlikely situation. I'm going to post this same reply in the thread you started.

 

[sm1ke]

I too struggled to get the pads into the clips. Had to walk away, maybe why it's easy to get frustrated and get it in bent. Once it goes in it's clear that it's in.

Are you reusing the rotors, new pads?
Did you machine finish or just simple replacement?

Could you be experiencing some rust jacking of the caliper bracket metal under the clips? Do you replace the little metal clips or reuse the old ones?

My routine is pop the clips out, (mechanically) wire brush the bracket where the clips reside and then a light file to remove any remaining corrosion. Coat the fresh metal with some anti-seize or grease and install new clips (or your old ones if your kit doesn't supply new hardware)

I learned about rust jacking after struggling to get new pads into the brackets of a Ford focus many years ago.

You know, that's probably what it was, the rust jacking of the caliper on the surfaces that the clips rest on. I didn't wire brush or file down those surfaces. Thanks for the insight!

I reused the Powerstop rotors, and used the new pad clips and slide pin boots that the pads came with.

 

[Z31]

In an effort to keep the original brakes feeling nice, I've been disassembling brakes every 20,000 kms, cleaning, lubing, etc. It's pretty much required to do min once per year in Canada/rust belt or you greatly shorten the life. Will see how long they last, but original pads/rotors still look great at 60k

I will say the front pads on the CX-9 are a bit awkward to install, but what i'm doing now is taking off the bracket and starting the pads off the vehicle, then reinstalling. Seems an easier way to prevent getting grease on the friction surfaces by accident. Also gives me an opportunity to apply a thin layer of grease to all the metal/metal surfaces.

I've been using Pastelub for metal/metal surfaces, underneath the clips (to hopefully prevent rust-jacking), on the back of the pads, and super thin amount on the pad ears (i know this is debated, but if you're cleaning every year, then I think it is the better option). Nice to apply on hub/rotor surface also. Little goes a long way.

And for the caliper slide pins, I've been using Motorcraft XG3A Silicone Brake Lube for a while. This stuff has been a game changer. Similar to Sylglide, but it doesn't seem to ever break down.