Brakes

[KirkJames]

I was trying to do my brakes this morning but I couldn't for the life of me get the pads to fit without removing the shims. Do I have to have these in or will it be ok without? Also managed to break a disc retaining screw inside the thread and broke my clamp so couldn't push the piston back on the other side. Given up for today before I murder someone. I will try again tomorrow!

[Fred68]

I tend to leave the one on the torque side out tbh!! But if you want to leave them in then you need to give the caliper a good de-rust under the shims and sometimes the pads need to be reduced in size a bit too!!

[big_wasa]

Dont the pistons just wind in ? I just use a bit of flat bar.

Atleast the screw sheared I had to drill one set out last time around.

Its always worth walking away for a bit if its not going well.

Ive just fitted and painted two new rear calipers and pads after an mot fail :sad:

[KirkJames]

I'm sure the pistons on the front just push back, the rear ones have to be wound back. I may well have to file some of the edges off. The screw has snapped inside but I shouldn't need to get the disc off for quite a while. I'll try again the morrow!

[Fred68]

The front pistons just push in but the fluid displaced should be taken out the bleed nipple and not simply forced back into the system as it can damage the valves in the Abs unit !!

[KirkJames]

Uh oh I just unscrewed the brake fluid Res cap :O

[big_wasa]

My bad, ive got rears on the brain lol

[talkingcars]

The front pistons just push in but the fluid displaced should be taken out the bleed nipple and not simply forced back into the system as it can damage the valves in the Abs unit !!

or burst the seal on the piston as I did the last time I did my pads.

[James Raby]

Love cars eh!
Before taking apart I wobble the disc back and forward to push piston in slowly but after 5 mins it's ok!

Need to see if they do need doing at weekend as have a grating sound o/s/f on braking

Maybe bearing??? Horrible discs though....

[andy-81]

The best way if your not certain is to derust under the shims and clean the shims themselves and file all the paint off the edges of the brake pads then the should fit

[KirkJames]

I will give that a try Andy and see what happens, should be ok tho, and I'll be very gentle when pushing the caliper back!

[KirkJames]

All done, had to shave a fair amount of the pads to get them to fit with the spring shim thingymabobs, but they are in now and seem fine when braking. Actually they feel better than the old ones and they haven't bed in yet!
Off to Alton Towers tomorrow so will let you all know when I get back. Thanks for the help fellas ;)

[andy-81]

No worries mate glad to be of service

[KirkJames]

Well, I put them together but one side I couldn't find the flimsy backing plates that go between the caliper and pads. I thought that it would be ok so put everything back together and the next day set off for alton towers. I had to brake quickly along the way and noticed that the car is pulling to one side under heavy braking, could this be because on one side I didn't put the plates on?
Can't think of it being anything else, I'm confused!

[peterzs]

Most likely still bedding in, think the shims just stop brake squeal. Cant see them doing much else!!!

[KirkJames]

Do they usually bed in on one side more than the other?

[Fred68]

Do they usually bed in on one side more than the other?

If one disc is more scored than the other it will take longer to bed in !!

[ZRed]

More likely your piston is partially seized mate.

[KirkJames]

Piston is fine, I'll give it a while and see if there's any change. Thanks folks!

[Ritchy]

either sticky caliper or perhaps pads arent free in the carrier, either way id have a look as soon as