Ford Focus Mk3 Brake Discs: Specs, Fitment & Wear Symptoms
A documented Focus forum report of "warped discs" after a fresh fit is almost certainly something else entirely — here's the real mechanism and how to avoid it.
Illustration for editorial purposes
Opens live listings in a new tab.
The Part That Pads Depend On
On the Ford Focus Mk3, discs and pads work as a pair, and neglecting one tends to accelerate wear on the other — which is exactly why worn discs so often get discovered during what was meant to be a routine pad change.
A Documented Focus Forum Report of "Warped Discs" Is Usually Something Else Entirely
A genuine, documented Focus forum report describes exactly the pattern worth understanding: new discs and pads fitted, running fine for months, then a sudden steering wheel vibration under motorway braking that owners immediately assume means the discs have warped. In the large majority of cases like this, the discs haven't physically bent from heat at all — what's actually happened is Disc Thickness Variation (DTV), uneven pad material deposits building up unevenly across the disc surface during the bedding-in period, which produces the exact same pulsing sensation as genuine warping. This distinction matters because DTV can sometimes be resolved without full replacement, and it's also a reason to be more careful bedding in new discs and pads properly — following a gradual bedding-in procedure rather than hard braking early on reduces the risk of this happening in the first place.
Ford Focus Mk3 Brake Discs: Watch: Replacing It
Mk3 discs and pads.
OEM Part Number: 1223664 (genuine front disc — confirm via VIN) — aftermarket front discs Brembo 09.A905.11 / Bosch 0 986 479 173
| Front brake discs (aftermarket) | Brembo 09.A905.11 (278 x 25 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 23 mm); Bosch 0 986 479 173 (278 x 25 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 23 mm); TRW DF6138 (278 x 25 mm, vented, 5 holes, painted black, min 23 mm); Brembo 09.9468.11 (300 x 25 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, min 23 mm); ATE 24.0125-0162.1 (300 x 25 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 23 mm); Brembo 09.A728.11 (320 x 25 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 23 mm); ATE 24.0125-0209.1 (320 x 25 mm, vented, 5 holes, coated, high-carbon, min 23 mm). |
|---|---|
| Disc sizes & variants | Three front sizes, all 25 mm thick and vented: 278 mm on the smaller-engined 1.0 EcoBoost and 1.6 cars, 300 mm on the 1.5/2.0 TDCi and higher-output petrols, and 320 mm on the ST and other performance trims. Rear discs are 271 x 11 mm solid. |
| Genuine (OE) numbers quoted | 1223664 (genuine front disc number for this model — confirm via VIN, as several disc sizes exist) |
| Fitment notes | Minimum thickness is 23 mm for every front size; some budget 278 mm discs are listed as usable only on cars built up to November 2016. Check the existing disc diameter before ordering as the three sizes are not interchangeable. |
Front disc diameter on the Mk3 Focus depends on trim and wheel size, with sportier ST-Line and ST models using a larger diameter disc than entry-level cars. Rear discs are more consistent across the range, but always confirm against your VIN if you've had wheels or brakes changed from standard.
Ford Focus Mk3 Brake Discs: What They Do
Brake discs provide the surface the brake pads clamp against to slow the car, converting momentum into heat through friction. Larger, sportier trims of the Focus Mk3 typically use bigger discs than standard versions to handle the additional heat generated by more aggressive braking.
Opens live listings in a new tab.
Ford Focus Mk3 Brake Discs: Wear Symptoms, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice
These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Brake Discs Guide for warning signs to watch for, confirming fitment against your VIN, and choosing a reliable aftermarket disc.
More Ford Brake Discs
The same part, covered across other Ford models.