How easy is it really to fit new discs and pads? I am only going to attempt the front. They do most of the work right? Can anyone tell me about their experiences to reassure me. I want to spend as little money as possible so need to fit them myself.

I have sourced some drilled and grooved front discs coated to stop rust. Probably pick up some Mintex pads unless greenstuff is much, much better. Is it worth having the discs coated?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Those discs are £79.95 (delivered) – sound okay?

Very very easy Nichoas if you need a step by step guide let us know.

Briefly you will have to remove the wheel, then remove the clips holding the padsin place. Next prize the caliper piston back in towards the caliper & remove pads, then remove the caliper with two allen bolts remove the caliper mounts two bolts (can't remember if allen) remove the two lugs on the hub holding the disc in place 12mm I think remove the disc (should pretty much fall off) then replace as removed will be roughly 15-20min per side depending how quick you are and whether you give the caliper and mounts a good wire brushing and clean. But you can take as long as you want to do the best job you can

Before fitting the new discs make sure the protective oil is removed (hot soapy water(fairy liquid) should do it, or they won't bed in properly.

Nick, its an easy job - drive it up to mine and we can do it in a couple of hours!!

Backs are slightly more tricky and need a special tool to wind in the back calliper pistons but fronts are easy.

Did you get my mail re-Red Dot's?

I had Black Diamond semi race pads on the front of my B for six months but found getting them up to working temp was hard in everyday driving conditions, I changed them over for Green stuff pads that KC let me have as he had placed an order for the wrong style for his B, (Thanks m8) but next time I will fit Ferodo DS2500 front pads becasue I have Ferodo pads on the back and love them. One issue with Ferodo pads is the cost £££££ wow £75 just for the front!

Ferodo Barchetta pads link



All four of my disks are Black Diamond G&D and after almost two years I would fit them again with no hesitations

Fitting pads and disks is easy !!! Go for it!!!

Thanks guys. I will just do the front for now as I don't want to spend too much. looking at Doc's pics, it looks as if I will have to paint the calipers blue as well.

Didn't get LRB's mail on the Red Dot's but hopping what I have is okay. Will post pic when they arrive.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm really hoping this will make a difference. I have had a few scares when braking at speed (expecially in wet). Will I need caliper paint or can I use the high temp stuff I sprayed on the engine cover?

Don't want to put you off going for better parts but I've never had any braking problems with the standard set-up. Are you sure you haven't got another problem or it's not the tyres letting you down?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'd expect better kit to improve feel and combat brake fade. With the standard set-up I've never had a big problem with brake fade, although if I want to stop in a hurry I use the gears too.

Biggest improvements I got in braking was going to 205 tyres and fitting better springs/shocks.

Just wanted to give some other ideas before you part with your hard earned!

In answer to Matt's questions I did start to get brake fade but found it to be one of the caliper hoses were corroded inside restricting the fluid, made a huge difference when I fitted new ones.

Chatted with my brother about this, he reports that braided brake pipes made a difference on his car.

Never tried it myself but I understand the theory is that standard pipes will expand a little under pressure. Braided pipes are supposed to remain the same size so the brakes react quicker and feel firmer.

I still have standard rubber hoses on mine so can't comment but when I fitted new grooved discs and fast road pads I noticed a difference when breaking from high speeds and when braking hard.

Another factor is that Nick's b does not have ABS...................

My discs arrive on Friday. I will post up pics of them. I will read up about fitting them but I will have to give LRB a shout if I am not confident.

Looking forward to driving to Beer tonight with the hood down. The exhaust sounded beautiful on the way back from Bournemouth last night.

Really is quite easy but if you get stuck you have my number!

Will I need ramps? I take it the car needs to be supported by more than the jack that came with it?

I may replace a few rusted bolts in the engine bay as a last mod for a while.

Any particular paint for the calipers?

Not ramps cause you need the wheel off, you need axle stands.

DO NOT GO UNDER THE CAR WITHOUT AT LEAST TWO AXLE STANDS IN PLACE AND NEVER WHEN ONLY USING THE CAR JACK.


Sorry just to add Nicholas, you shouldn't need to go under the car so one axle stand should be fine but don't put it where the Jack goes or you will flatten the sills which has a thin metal down piece that the jack goes round

Health and safety-freak....

There are som Red Dots on eBay here for £35. I would have bought them had the postage to Norway not been £65....:bang:

Robot said:

Health and safety-freak....

Click to expand...

Making sure the member numbers don't fall

In all honesty once I climbed under a car when there was only a wheel jack holding it up and as I got under the jack started to slip. I had never moved so quickly for a fat lad and JUST quickly enough as the car grazed past my hair as it fell to the floor Since then yes you could say I'm a health and safety freak

Robot said:

Health and safety-freak....

There are som Red Dots on eBay here for £35. I would have bought them had the postage to Norway not been £65....:bang:

Click to expand...

I would have bought them if I hadn't got discs arriving today. Nice price if no one else starts bidding.

I will see if anyone I know has jacks. I won't start the job till I know I can finish it.

Here are the discs. They look a little blacker when you see them in person. Got OMP brake pads on the way for just £15.

Excellent What brand did you go for?

Not sure what brand they are but they look quality. Fingers crossed. Got them from Ebay.

What paint should I use for the calipers? Can I use the high temp spray I used for the engine cover or tin of hammerite or special caliper paint?

Would think the high temp should be OK, hammerite def not as the temp get's very very hot. Personally if the tin doesn't say brake calipers I would be back visiting ebay for a tin of stuff that does.