Well done, and thanks for the feedback. The brake fluid and pads are key/critical components of any braking system. The fluid should be replaced as often as you can make the time to do it once a year or two. It depends on usage as to how long the fluid should be left unchanged.
I've been a mail carrier since 1991, I've seen and heard it all about brakes. I change fluids in general much more often then other people, brake fluid for my mail trucks, a year is pushing what it needs. Doing it that often is hard, I try to do it every Spring.
I've had good pads and poor quality junk. Most parts store pads are junk, good warrantee or not. I stopped buying those pads in the mid 90's when I got my own full time route. I buy the best pads I can get, which will last the longest, to reduce how often I have to do brakes. Typically for me that's every 1-2 years, depending on what route I've been on. My current route has had subs who do brakes once every month or two, they buy the cheap brakes and let some shop do the work each time. I'm using an OEM pad at the moment on my 98 Explorer, 4500lbs, and before this route I could get a year or more from the fronts. I'm hoping they'll go six months on this route.
Long story short buy the best pads, I've usually preferred EBC pads, the green are common and do well on my heavy SUV's. My 98 Mercury I have custom brakes, with an aftermarket SSBC caliper, that uses a little 3000GT pad. Those are smaller than stock, and I've been using red or yellow EBC pads with it.
I don't have an MKZ yet, but I will next Spring I expect. I'll plan to replace the fluids and do the SS lines too. Did that include the rear lines also, or just the front pair?
