Brake saga...

Post by **Vtecmec** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:01 am

I honestly do not think that it is the quality of the pads/discs that are in question here. But clearly the pad is not meeting the disc properly due to some mechanical issue. Even if the discs were warped on the outside face towards the centre, which is very unlikely, the pad would just wear to that shape eventually and still offer a decent contact surface.

But to answer your question, I've used mintex pads with no name discs for years and never had an issue.

Post by **simonc** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:08 am

@Vtechmec Morning mate - so what's your verdict? Keep the discs and get some Mintex pads?

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:40 am

I'm with vtecmec. It looks like a pad sticking issue to me.

If you take the caliper off/swing it out of the way, how easy is that pad to pull out and replace by hand? Does it take some effort, or does it come out easily. If it seems to stick at all, have a look at the outer ends of the locating tabs, you'll probably find a high spot. It's very common on modern pads. If so, use a file to file away the high spot.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:51 am

Simon, you've gone all scouse.

I'd do as Wurly suggests.

Post by **simonc** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:09 am

@Vtechmec Scouse? Scouse? How dare you? You sir, will be hearing from my phalanx of lawyers forthwith!

@wurlycorner To answer your question Iain, they just fall out. No tugging, no pulling just fall out of the caliper. They do have a wafer thin sheet of metal behind them which also just falls out of the caliper as well.
Should they be so loose?

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:44 am

They should fit snuggly so they don't rattle about, but other than that, the looser the better really yes!

So that isn't the problem then.
Try swapping the inner and outer pads round (they're reversible on the front but make sure you swap the anti-squeal shims so they stay where they currently are) to see if the problem transfers or stays.

Note, after swapping them around, take it easy on the brakes while the pads bed in again - you'll find that the brakes will be crap on a left hand side for a short while.

Post by **simonc** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:57 am

Ok Iain, I'll take it to the guy who looked at them on Monday and ask him to follow your instructions to the letter. Fingers crossed...

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:58 am

Unless anyone else on here thinks that's a bad idea!

Post by **simonc** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 3:15 am

Well, it looks like the saga could have come to a most satisfactory conclusion. We got the discs skimmed yesterday and by all accounts the driver's side one was way, way off being flat. Jason told me the skimmer guy took three passes of the blade thing to get out the high spots. Just to get it spot on we decided to fit new pads ( the 4th set this year) and shims.
The results gentlemen, are remarkable. I feel as though the brakes are biting and am so much more confident when I'm driving it. The bottom line is that my brakes are actually working!
I know I'll have to bed things in for a while but I really cannot describe how marvellous it feels to actually stop when I want.
Here's some pics of the skimming, albeit not brilliant quality, but I'm sure you'll get the gist of it. Result! Thanks for your advice gents - marvellous as ever.

Apologies if they are not in the right sequence of skimmage!
Shot 1.

Shot 2

Shot 3

I'm so chuffed that this bloody brake nightmare is over. Whoo Hoo! Thanks again everyone.