Carbon Ceramic Discs

Carbon Ceramic Discs

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Discussion

GR1FF1F

Original Poster:

523 posts

235 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
My California is in for annual service and they've discovered that a number of bolts anchoring the ceramic discs have sheered, apparently due to heat expansion; the heads have popped off. Just one or two per wheel, out of 12 holding each disc in place and so I have not been in danger per se, but clearly needs sorting. So here's where it gets disappointing. The brakes are made by Brembo under licence for Ferrari but under the terms of that licence cannot supply parts, only the full assembly. This means replacing the discs in total even though they are only 50% worn. At £2.5k a pop, compared to the cost of a handful of bolts, this starts to be gratuitously expensive.

Has anyone found a way around this issue ? I'm considering replacing the brake assemblies all round for conventional steel discs. Whilst this also means binning the callipers and relatively new pads, it does mean that next time round I'll be looking at a more palatable cost.

GR1FF1F

Original Poster:

523 posts

235 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies guys. Breakers yard is an idea although the bolts are likely to be the same condition as mine. True to say that I’ve used the car in varied weather conditions, so am somewhat to blame, although I bought the car to use it. Also less fussed about resale as I have the car for long term and so am more concerned about another £10k bill in a few years time.

F355, thanks if you can check I may well have an interest. I understand that different bolts were used on each F model despite the discs being the same. Where I have the car in they have another car, not a Cali, with the same issue

GR1FF1F

Original Poster:

523 posts

235 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
The shop are investigating alternatives along the lines you all describe, i.e. drilling out and replacing, but are understandably cautious about using non-original parts, even bolts, as they may not be to the same spec as Brembo. Is there a way to ensure equivalence of tensile strength - I'm no expert on bolts but would think there is a range of quality. I presume the discs themselves are not threaded, but simply flush drilled through, so there shouldn't be compatibility issues on that front.

GR1FF1F

Original Poster:

523 posts

235 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
Have passed on BG as a potential solution. Will see what they ascertain, hopefully will be able to get some suitable bolts. Thanks all for your constructive input