Front brakes on rear brakepads to small

[Cleve]

We contacted FF for my MK4 and they said the new brake pads would be 2001 Mustang GT would work for a replacement.
We ordered the Hawk HP+ sport pads for the front and rear brakes. The fronts ones work and fit fine. The rear Hawk HP + pads (HB183N.660) were to small and didn't fit. We don't know what car that they used for the rear brakes. Apparently its not a 2001 Mustang GT. Any suggestions or help on this would be appreciated .
Thanks
Cleve

Just talked to FF. Our rear brakes are a 1990-1997 Ford thunderbird. Pads and calipers only.

[johnnybgoode]

If they look like this they are the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe rear caliper/rotor. The FMSI Reference Number for the pads is D347.
The caliper should have a 45mm piston for the TC but I think they also came in a 38mm version as well for the non-TC Thunderbirds/Taurus.

This is all assuming you have the 8.8?

216477216478

[Cleve]

John, FF says pads are for a Thunderbird from 1990-1997. Hawks has a High Performance Street 5.0 brake pad for these years Thunderbirds. The pads that I removed have a little spring on the top of the pad that helps to seat the pads into position. The Hawk pads do not have the spring on the top Do you think that would be a problem?
Looks like you have a great car. Thanks
Cleve
P.S. We love Canada.

[nuhale]

I ran into this a few years back as I bought my kit 2nd hand and not a clue what I had. Just went back into my notes and I did attempt a few purchases with Hawks HP+ until I got it right. I have the older T-Bird IRS and the pads I used successfully were:

HB183F.585

They make another set that are ".660" which are thicker pads and would not fit the rotor. They have built in retainer springs.

Other set I bought that were designated for 88 T-bird was: HB580F.627 I recall them being bigger and no fit. Hope this helps

[johnnybgoode]

Thanks! The link below has a drawing of the pads I use, except they are Green Stuff vs Red Stuff. They do have the springs on top which help to hold the pad in the caliper similar to an anti-rattle clip. I would make sure you use ones with the springs. Scott
https://www.mvpmotorsports.com/ebc-brakes/ebc-brake-pads-redstuff/dp31172c?srsltid=AfmBOooUfu00mX7ANODRyL0f0C_FWNmJ6 KhvTbhPz_Ph1grncchhrIlk

[AC Bill]

John, FF says pads are for a Thunderbird from 1990-1997.

John may have meant the 88-89 T-Bird turbo coupe, not the later models. The rear ends from them was used on our cars sometimes, mainly because they came with disc brakes.

[Cleve]

i was under the impression that ceramic brakes would not improve braking sufficiently enough. Did these brakes have a noticeable difference in braking power.
Thank you very much for your infomation.

[johnnybgoode]

I had basically cheap OEM pads on my MKII 15 years ago when I bought it and it would not stop at all even with power assist. I replaced the fronts with Hawk HPS and the rears with EBC Green Stuff and have been very happy with the stock Mustang brakes. I tried Porterfield R4-S for a while but went back to the EBC Greens. Scott