Are these pads ready to be replaced?

[TVR Beaver]

I've had a bit of a squeek from the drivers rear for a while now so have taken the pads out to inspect... as you can see, there is a good 6mm left of the pad but there is also a small metal round bit on the bottom of the pad thats hitting the disc?... is this some warning switch that we don't have?... so if it is, I'm guessing its time for new ones... how thick do they start life just out of interest?.... interesting pattern also on the pad??



then If I do need new ones, do I do the discs also?.. anyone know the min thickness?

And then where to get them and what type / part numbers..... D558 (5024175) or EBCG 2617... or EDB398... Its a 99 year 500 BTW...
I did read a post before on Black Diamond being good stuff??

Bring on the New Year... I can'y wait to get back out there

Edited by TVR Beaver on Tuesday 31st December 14:56

[chris52]

They should not need replacing yet. The wear indicator on those pads is where e the two wires are and it hasn't worn to that point yet. But they do look as though they have a small crack in the top and the wear does not look consistent so maybe it's time to replace anyway. Brake squeal can be caused by hairline cracks in the pad material.
Hard to say for sure from the pic though .
Chris

[TVR Beaver]

Don't think there is a crack in them (but see what you mean in the Pic?)... TBH I do get a bit of brake grabbing at low speed, like its warped a bit so may be time as you say to replace....
been looking on line and Willow sportscars do discs at £50 pair and pads at £18 set....
wonder if they are okay ... arnt they std Cosworth?

[fatboychim]

They're not a particularly fat pad to start with, they should be ok for a bit assuming no cracks or damage.

[TVR Beaver]

yes, thought they might be... maybe 8mm when new?....
but it is pulling per wheel rev when hot so think my disc also goes out of shape a bit (it clocks spot on in the lathe now however)....
Looking at the prices above, I can have a full new set for £68... has anyone tried these?... Willow I think have a good name so should be good parts??

[A900ss]

You can get Brembo or Mintex discs for under £50 so a good brand name that should be reliable.

I'd go for a decent brand of pads as the pads are more important than the discs IMHO but you'll get a good set of discs and pads for under £100.

I've just bought mintex discs all round and a full set of yellowstuffs and that was under £200.

Best of luck.

[TVR Beaver]

Full set of good stuff for £100... please tell more as the next best was Clever Trevor at well over £100

[A900ss]

TVR Beaver said:

Full set of good stuff for £100... please tell more as the next best was Clever Trevor at well over £100

Here is my post from a couple of months ago. I'd forgotten but I paid £175 for discs and yellow stuffs for all 4 corners.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Be aware when ordering though. The 260mm discs up front come in 53mm and 58mm heights. Similar price but make sure you get the right one. I didn't at first....

Note I did say good set of discs and pads for £100 and that was per axle.

Good luck.

[TVR Beaver]

Mmmm.. the old E-Bat... I'm guessing they are okay and what it says on the box

will have a look... many thanks

[quattrophenia]

Get em replaced with some nice new ones.
As mentioned, standard (and even some upgraded) TVR brake components are so affordable. You can often replace the disks, pads and lines for the cost of one corner on a modern car with the same performance.

[A900ss]

The pads were EBC direct so defo genuine.

If you don't want to use Ebay there are plenty of online dealers for just a few quid more. Just search under Sierra discs rather than TVR to avoid the TVR tax.

(do check the disc height though!!!)

[QBee]

Ring Willow tomorrow and ask him what they are. Nick is a lovely guy and 100% genuine. As you say, £68 for a new set is a no brainier. Don't expect he would charge much to change them for you either if you fancied a drive down to Newark. Happy to meet up if you are headed this way - I live two miles from Willow, which itself is only about 800 yards off the A1.

[EGB]

Have been told, true or not so true that Girling pads offer less squeek.

[TVR Beaver]

cheers guys... yes, will call Willow tomorrow and see what they are

if not I'll have a look for the others mentioned here, but avoiding the TVR tax as you say...

My fronts are like new so would be nice to get the rears the same

[TVR Beaver]

So I have my answer :-

The brake pads are from TRW and the discs from Apec, however they are thinking about moving to TRW discs as well.... They have had no issues with the Apec discs, but have been told the TRW ones are a better quality?

Looking at a number of posts it sounds like TRW pads are OEM for Audi / BMW etc so should be good.. they do tend to fade a tad and make dust, but are quiet..

Apec Discs I can't find much on but if they are fault free, maybe the disc is not so critical....

anyone any experiance of these makes on a TVR

[QBee]

In my limited experience of road and track driving, the only time it matters what pads and discs you have is on track, where you are repeatedly max-braking in quick succession, thus generating lots of heat. I found the standard brakes excellent on the road, only changed them for doing track days.

[TVR Beaver]

May have a go at these then... with Mintex discs at £30 (as per above post from Karl) and pads at £18... could do the lot for less than £50

[Johno]

QBee said:

In my limited experience of road and track driving, the only time it matters what pads and discs you have is on track, where you are repeatedly max-braking in quick succession, thus generating lots of heat. I found the standard brakes excellent on the road, only changed them for doing track days.

Yes and no ....

Higher spec pads are to deal with higher temps due to higher forces applied on a more regular basis (far more regular than on the road), but they are also generally higher in the frictional ability (coefficients etc), therefore creating more heat.

That additional frictional ability is what helps to stop you quicker in a shorter distance and the best pads help you to modulate they're performance when needed.

I don't endorse throwing in full racing pads as these don't work until a certain temp is reached as you see from race car warm up laps being for both tyres and brakes typically.

However a fast road pad should offer additional frictional performance which is worth considering. Personally something like the Ferodo DS2500's I find excellent as a balance between the two. You could set off in the high Alps in the morning knowing you wouldn't go straight on at the first hairpin even with cold brakes, but by the end of the morning you also didn't need to be concerned about going straight on at 200th hairpin of the day.

Discs, exactly the same, you pay your money and take your choice, but cheap discs are made from cheap materials and to less fine tolerances. All of which effect braking performance.