Focus Brake Mounting

[timxr8]

Ask and ye shall receive. I took a few pictures. Please note that I don't have XR spindles on my car, so it shows a Scorpio spindle and no rotor, but it's easy enough to figure out.

Parts required:
2012+ Focus (Non-ST/RS) front calipers (must be reversed for correct bleeder placement)
2012+ Focus Pads
2005-2007 Focus Front Rotors (278mm)
Hoses have the same attachment fittings as the stock XR, but the length will probably be different. I am looking at having some custom ones made once I get the length figured out. You can use the same Russell fittings as the rear for both ends of the front and -3AN hose if desired.

If people are interested, I can make more of these "kits" with the shown pieces (4x ea of thread adapters, bolts, and spacers).

Focus Front Kit.JPG (254.59 KiB) Viewed 12491 times

So first thing is first, remove the front brakes...everything.

Grab the Focus calipers. Take the thread adapters and apply red lock-tite onto them and thread into the caliper. If need be, make an installer with a bolt and nut to help out.

Focus install 1.JPG (270.62 KiB) Viewed 12491 times

Thread them in until the nose of the adapter is flush.

Focus install 2.JPG (307.11 KiB) Viewed 12491 times

[timxr8]

Continued:
Put the rotor on the hub.

Place the spacers on the thread adapter.

Focus install 3.JPG (281.95 KiB) Viewed 12490 times

Now, the next part can be done 1 of 2 ways. Either assemble the caliper (Pads and everything), or remove the mounting pins for the caliper from the bracket. Bolt the bracket to the spindle with supplied bolts.

Focus install 4.JPG (357.64 KiB) Viewed 12490 times

If you removed the caliper from the bracket (carrier): now you want to put the pads on and position the caliper and attach the sliding pins. Everything should be on, and the last part is the hose. I haven't figured that part completely, but should have a solutiong pretty soon. I'll post when I get it.

Focus install 5.JPG (380.02 KiB) Viewed 12490 times

[thesameguy]

I'm not sure what I am doing for brakes on my supposed track rat, but I think I'd be up for a lot just once case i go this way - better safe than Sorry!

[Longitudinal]

And these are 12" rotors?

[timxr8]

And these are 12" rotors?

278mm, right about 11". So can be used on MOST 15" rims.

Now, something to consider; the Escape and C-Max SEL Energi utilize a 300mm rotor and the same caliper and bracket. The base C-Max (non-Energi) has the same 278mm brakes as the Focus, so you could utilize the base Escape or C-Max Energi SEL calipers and brackets with the 02-04 Focus SVT 300mm rotors. Spacing wise to get it centered will probably have to be greater due to the shallower offset of the SVT rotor.

Not sure on which Escape models moved up to the 320mm rotor, but those part #s I found cross to the early Focus ST (around 2015 moved to the current 335mm rotor).

[Longitudinal]

How much for the pictured "kit?"

My car is an '89, so I should have no problem with stock wheels.

[my8950]

Check with Mike McCreight about brake hoses, he supplies a lot of people with updated brake hoses.
I'm sure he can help out!

[timxr8]

How much for the pictured "kit?"

I think about $30 shipped.

Check with Mike McCreight about brake hoses, he supplies a lot of people with updated brake hoses.
I'm sure he can help out!

I got hoses coming right now for $75 shipped by themselves. They are DOT stainless with the correct OEM fitting for the chassis.

[thesameguy]

Any guess on what the additional space for that centering looks like? Like, a thick washer or a double-size spacer? Anything I'm gonna run will have 17" wheels just for tire selection, and sticking with the 300mm rotors is attractive.

[timxr8]

Any guess on what the additional space for that centering looks like? Like, a thick washer or a double-size spacer? Anything I'm gonna run will have 17" wheels just for tire selection, and sticking with the 300mm rotors is attractive.

You thought about running the early ST front brakes? I don't know the cut-off year for the 320mm. You might be able to fit the 335mm, but I'm not sure on that). I have a jig to drill the 5 bolt to 4 bolt (easy since they're both 108mm PDC). You just need a drill press and a 1/2" bit. I'll try and get a picture of it. It's just a rear hub with 1/2" ID drill bushings in 3 of the holes.

[thesameguy]

At this precise moment I have no thoughts!

I am still trying to figure out how the fuel injection is going to work, how much of the Saab I want to keep. I'm just kind of being an opportunistic with stuff I can't make.

[reddy2300]

I have 278mm Contour rotors. Will these work with this setup?

This mod requires this "kit", a set of hoses and some 12+ Focus calipers to work?

Works well with my OE (87-up) master cylinder?

Where do I send my money for your kit?

(Edit: I just ordered a pair of used Focus calipers so I'm going this route instead of PBR's)

[timxr8]

Sorry, not on here as much as I used to.

This "kit" will NOT work with the Contour SVT rotors due to the height of the friction surface. On the Contour, the rotor vents to the outside, which takes away ~1/4" of the area from the bottom of where the pad engages. So the pad will "overhang" the inside of the rotor. You need to use the 05-07 rotor to bolt-on with this.

The rest is correct. The pedal will be a little stiffer due to the 9.5% reduction in piston area, but you gain about 30% more pad area.

[timxr8]

I have more "kits" currently, but I also updated the hose with a 45 degree swivel fitting, so the hoses are $5 more expensive to compensate for the increased cost of the fitting. Total is $105 shipped for the spacers, thread adapters, bolts, and hoses.

[reddy2300]

Got mine today! Looks great!!! Can't wait to get this done!