Scrape

[midnight.outlaw]

It's happened twice now, When I stopped into my driveway, just before i stopped there was this scraping sound, I think it's coming from the front, I can feel it on my foot though the brake pedal. Does this mean that my brake pads are worn out? It happened about a week ago then again yesterday.

Worried,
Jason

[sparkles_vp]

Yep sound like the pads worn out and your just starting on the metal backing plate.
Pull your front wheels off and inspect the thickness of the pads.
Easy job to do.

Cheers

[midnight.outlaw]

How much is it for new brake pads? oh and how much abouts for installation? If it's easy I'm willing to do it at home, If it's safe too. This is my first car so I have no experience about brake parts and prices.

Jason

[jules]

your brakes are vital to vehicle safety. if you don't know what you're doing, be honest with yourself and take the car to a mechanic. however changing pads is actually pretty easy, if you know your way around the car a bit it's a piece of piss.

the tricky bit is assessing the condition of them - look for leaks around the caliper, condition of the hoses. bleed the fluid periodically, you can't just leave it in there indefinitely.

do the slave pistons push in easily? ideally you can do it with hand pressure but i never find that works
it shouldn't take too much force tho

[midnight.outlaw]

I called a place, they said they wil sell and fit standard brake pads for $89, or I could go for the premium brakes with lifetime warranty for $120, what do you think? Go for the $120 job?

Jason

[jules]

by premium brakes i assume they mean better pads, the service is the same? anyway you can pay more for better pads, but a good name brand like ferodo will do the job.

it's up to you, personally i'm not after that last 5% of brake feel or power so i'd go for the cheaper pads. just as long as they're not made in Thailand by Kwong Fo, check they're a reputable brand.

[midnight.outlaw]

So i guees you mean, if they are Aussie made they are ok. ill try to check it first. The guy said the premium brakes were of a composite material. I guessing they are better. I think they are the same service too.

Jase

[jules]

they don't need to be aussie-made, just as long as they're a reputable brand. "good" pads can mean lots of things. maybe $120 pads are good for racing, not necessarily good for street use. there is no shortage of people willing to sell you expensive stuff if you're ready to believe it's better just because it costs more. unless you really understand why they're better i'd personally probably go for the cheaper ones in most cases.

[midnight.outlaw]

Went to the brakes place and got premium pads $127 I also needed the rotors machined $55. They also said I needed new rotors for the rear, A caliper overhaul, total flush and refill of brake fluid and new pads for the rear.

another $376.70

I had the new pads done and the machining for the front so far. Guess I'll have to do the rear shit soon. DAMMIT

Jason

[arty]

Hi there,

Midnight the people you took it to would they happen to be Brakes Plus???

Regards,

Arty

[midnight.outlaw]

Yes

[pythian]

lol, .. oh dear.. sounds like a horror story coming on!

[zam]

hey Jason....can do you dba brand new rear brake discs in brisbane city for $40 each brand new off the shelf if you are interested.
I have them on my car.
I can help you out if you need it with pads too.
My car has vx front brakes and stocko rears with qfm pads ...great brakes.
How did the gearbox go?

[markovr]

I have worked on my own brakes for years and have found that if the pistons are not pitted there is no reason to overhaul the rear calipers....I have done it before and from experience I wasted my money....you can flush the old fluid out but for the rear you probably just need pads and if the rear discs wont machine ,a new set of discs and a flush...in parts about 150 max and thats with good street pads.