Parts for your 1998 Ford Falcon-Brake pads

1998 Ford Falcon brake pads — what they do and how to look after them

Based on technical references including the Ford AU Falcon Owner’s and Workshop Manuals (1998–2002) and Australian parts catalogues from brands such as Bendix and DBA, brake pads are absolutely used on the 1998 Ford Falcon. Every 1998 Falcon runs front disc brakes that require pads, while many variants (e.g., S, Fairmont, XR) also have rear disc brakes with pads. Some base models (such as AU Forte) use rear drum brakes with shoes instead of pads, but front pads are universal across the range.

On a 1998 Falcon, brake pads are the friction material that clamp the rotors when the pedal’s pressed, turning speed into heat and pulling the car up smartly. They’re designed to balance bite, low noise, and rotor life. Common pad formulations include ceramic, semi‑metallic and low‑metallic NAO, each with slightly different feel and dust levels. For everyday commuting and the odd open-road run, quality ceramic or low‑metallic pads tend to offer quiet operation and clean wheels, for towing or spirited driving, semi‑metallic options cope better with heat.

As part of regular servicing, pad thickness, rotor condition and caliper operation should be inspected at least every 10,000 km or at each service. Replace pads as a set on the same axle and well before they’re down to around 3 mm of friction material. It’s good practice to machine or replace rotors if they’re worn, heat‑spotted or below the minimum thickness stamped on the rotor hat. The slide pins should be cleaned and lubricated, shims and clips renewed, and caliper bolts tightened to spec. A brake fluid check (and a flush every two years) keeps pedal feel consistent, especially on ABS‑equipped models.

• Tell‑tales for tired pads include squeal, grinding, longer stopping distances, steering pull under brakes and pedal pulsation or shudder.
• City driving, heavy loads, towing and hilly terrain will shorten pad life, highway cruising is gentler on them.
• After new pads and rotors, bed them in with several medium stops from about 60 to 10 km/h, leaving time to cool between, and avoid sitting on the pedal when stationary with hot brakes.

Choosing ADR‑compliant pads from a reputable brand, fitting them correctly and driving to conditions will keep a 1998 Falcon stopping straight, quiet and confidently for many kilometres.

How often should brake pads be replaced on a 1998 Ford Falcon?

Service intervals vary with driving, but many owners see 30,000–70,000 km from a set. Pads should be inspected at every service and replaced before the friction material gets too thin (around 3 mm) or if there’s noise, shudder or reduced braking performance.

Does a 1998 Falcon have rear brake pads or drums?

All models use front brake pads. Rear brakes depend on the variant: many AU Series I performance and luxury trims have rear discs with pads, while base models like the Forte commonly have rear drums with shoes.

What brake pad type suits everyday driving?

For daily use, quality ceramic or low‑metallic pads offer quiet operation, good bite and low dust. If the car tows, carries heavy loads or sees spirited driving, a semi‑metallic pad can handle heat better, with a slight trade‑off in noise and dust.