Brake Callipers on first wedge

[wedgtable]

Finally i am the proud owner of a beautiful red 350i. And I would like to thank the creators of this site for helping me gain enough knowledge to sound like I knew what i was talking about whilst haggling over the price!!

However, on my way back home the brakes failed!!!!
The off side pads were just touching the disk, warmed gently and boiled the fluid. the lesson I learnt after spending six hours on the side of the motorway is that the RAC membership is a waste of time, and I have now found that my insurance provides a real breakdown service!!!

On top of this, I was in Coventry and needed to get to Brighton, 3 different tow trucks were sent as the front over hang was too much for the ramps, 130 quid tow bill from motorway to mates house in Coventry. 265 quid to replace the calliper and fix the indicators(which had also packed in). Drivers window stopped working and is jammed down making the four hour drive back on friday ( you know the other day when it chucked it down) very wet and cold.

I still really love the car though, but now need to get back to Coventry and the other calliper has gone. I don't have time to wait for a refurb. or even for TVR car parts next day delivery. Is there a part that I can get from a motor factors to replace the calliper???? Or any where near Brighton that might sell a replacement.

Also, totally gutted I am not going to be able to get to BBWF even though it is just down the road from where I am staying. PLS get some good pics to be posted here.

Thanks guys.
PS also the radiator hose has just burst. Bugger.

[wedg1e]

Minor details. Couple of hundred tops to fix.
Mail me via profile for a brakes supplier....

[Number 7]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Had the car been unused for a while, causing the calipers to seize and trash the pads?

As far as towing goes, I hope that you never need to remember this, but the V8 Wedges should never be towed with the rear wheels on the ground (other than short distances) unless the prop shaft is disconnected, because you can wreck the gearbox, as its oil pump only works when the engine is running.

Best of luck getting it fixed.

7.

[barrington]

there only cortina calipers you can get them from most car spares shops

[wedg1e]

barrington said:

there only cortina calipers you can get them from most car spares shops

I bet you can't, not off the shelf
Even the Sierra has been out of production for over a decade now, try and get bits for those!

[wedgtable]

i will give it a go tomorrow and let you know!! any idea which model and year they are????

[redwedge5]

Sorry to confuse matters but I'm sure the standard 350 front brakes are Ford GRANADA Mk2 (approx 1978 - 1985). The 2.8l Granada had ventilated discs and bigger calipers. These also fit but you need new discs and calipers. I bought a pair of these calipers from my local motor factor Topspeed. This was 2 years ago and outright they cost £50 each incl VAT.

[tallbloke]

I can recommend upgrading to vented discs.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=12&h=&t=138428

[wedg1e]

redwedge5 said:

Sorry to confuse matters but I'm sure the standard 350 front brakes are Ford GRANADA Mk2 (approx 1978 - 1985). The 2.8l Granada had ventilated discs and bigger calipers. These also fit but you need new discs and calipers. I bought a pair of these calipers from my local motor factor Topspeed. This was 2 years ago and outright they cost £50 each incl VAT.

Just to further confuse the issue , not all 2.8 Granadas had vented discs...

[grahamw48]

I have some receipts from last year for new calipers for the 390.
They were fifty odd quid each IIRC.

Seems pretty cheap anyway.

[streaky]

wedg1e said:

barrington said: there only cortina calipers you can get them from most car spares shops I bet you can't, not off the shelf Even the Sierra has been out of production for over a decade now, try and get bits for those!

Didn't Ford used to claim that they stocked spares for 40 years after discontinuation of a model? - Streaky

[adam quantrill]

If solid discs they are Cortina calipers.

If vented, then Granada ones (for vented disks).

You should be able to get either from a scrapyard for £20 to £40 each.

Time to fit yourself - about 2 to 3 hours, it's not hard.
I don't think any special tools are required.

[Graham]

if you really stuck i might have a set of calipers and vented disks...( only done about 500 miles but they are all track miles).

[wedgtable]

A big thank you to every one who has posted. I really would have liked to confirm for definate the parts recquired. Alas I have run out of time and have ordered one from TVR car parts. At the end of the day their customer service and prices are both brilliant and they have next day delivery, so I have only lost one day ( in theory who knows what will happen when I fit them!!!)

Many thanks every one and I look forward to meeting you soon.

Mike

[SEvans]

I believe that the wishbones are Cortina and the hub/disk/caliper are Granada MK2. I think that the 2.8 and Estate cars used the vented disks and calipers.

[wedg1e]

streaky said:

wedg1e said: barrington said: there only cortina calipers you can get them from most car spares shops I bet you can't, not off the shelf Even the Sierra has been out of production for over a decade now, try and get bits for those! Didn't Ford used to claim that they stocked spares for 40 years after discontinuation of a model? - Streaky

Maybe: shame my local dealers don't stock staff who give a sh!t enough to be bothered to help you...

[grahamw48]

They're only interested in 'servicing' repmobiles on expense accounts, and then I doubt they do a tenth of what they're supposed to.

All part of rip-the-customer-off Britain, Ltd.

The same people probably think that double-glazing salesman are con-men though.

[wedgtable]

yep, I had the same problem with my local Ford dealer. I do everytime. I can't believe he still has a job, but as you point out, it is probably part of the selection process. " Do you give a shit?" "No" "Excellent, you have the job, now just drag your knuckles a bit and you are all set". Apologies to any Ford employees who do care!!!

[degz]

check the window switch first they can get cr4p under the contacts that stop the window working,

>> Edited by degz on Wednesday 29th June 14:36

[grahamw48]

I'll second that.

A Sierra I used to own had intermittent leccy window fault.
Just cleaned the switch contacts, and had another 2 or three years use out of them.