Changing front disks?

[Stella Artois]

After giving the motor a clean prior to Silverstone, I noticed that the front disks are starting to crack!! From each of the drilled holes there are 4-6mm cracks emanating perpendicular to the disk. This is also backed by a gradual increase in vibration from heavy braking. I am due to replace the pads front and rear and have been looking for decent options without paying stealer prices. I have found a set on ebay, that are for the grooved variant at £360 ish. From what I have found, I have to go with AP Racing pads, unless others know otherwise. Its my daily driver and a few track days thrown in to boot.

What is the process for the front disk replacement. Is it a simple unbolting from the housing or does the hub come off and are there any seals that need replacing. I am happy and confident to carry out the work myself, just needed to know if I'd need any additional items to carry out the task.

Thanks,
Marc.

[BobE]

You need to remove the caliper (and use `loctite` on the bolts when you replace it) and then the disc unbolts from the `bells` - the `spider` part to which the disc is bolted with small socket head cap screws and nuts. A twist to align the lugs with the gaps and it should come off. When you fit the new discs you need to get new cap screws/nuts as well - they don`t automatically come with the discs. Obviously you need to change the pads at the same time and then carefully bed them in to prevent the new discs warping - or the new pads glazing.

[TuxMan]

Hi Marc, i purchased all my new front brakes from steve at questmead 01706 860088, they were very good supplying everything i needed including the new hub bolts , as has been suggested the new disc come without bells so you have to refit the old ones , it is recommended that you check the disc runout when you re-assemble !! also check them on the hub as well . give me a shout if you want to heve alook as i have not fitted anything yet . Simon

[Jim O.]

Stella Artois said:

What is the process for the front disk replacement. Is it a simple unbolting from the housing or does the hub come off and are there any seals that need replacing.

The front disk assembly (rotor and hat) is sandwiched between the wheel and the hub, held in place by the lug nuts when the wheel is installed.

Jack up and support the car. Remove wheel, remove caliper, and the disk should slide off the hub. Unless, of course, it's corroded onto the hub, in which case you'll either need to "persuade" it off the hub using the usual tools of persuasion (BFH, penetrating oil, torch, curse words, etc.) or leave the hat in place and remove the rotor by removing all the little bolts. If you do get the disk assembly off the hub, be sure to clean off the hub with a wire brush, and use some antiseize on the hub before replacing the disk - that way, it will come off easily the next time you need to remove it...

No need to remove the hub or replace any seals. You will need some thread locking compound (Loctite) when you reinstall the caliper. And, when you do the front brakes, it's a good time to check the wheel bearings, retorque the front hub nuts, check your ball joints, and nut & bolt the front suspension.

[Stella Artois]

Are yours drilled or grooved Simon? Can the same pads be used for both type disks?

[TuxMan]

Hi Marc , currently have cross drilled am upgradeing to groved with ferodo pads .