Good morning everyone. I bought this car in February from a Vauxhall dealer of all places. The car was a bargain! They kindly replaced the front discs and pads before I collected it as they were worn.
Since then the front brakes have squeeled when braking. Very noisy indeed! Embarrassing on pulling up to traffic lights etc! I figured it could only be the pad material as the discs and pads were brand new. I got the part number off the rear of the pad and ordered a nice new set of Brembo brake pads off the internet. The pads that were fitted by the vauxhall dealer where Ferodo.
On stripping the Ferodo pads out I have noticed the pads don't cover the full surface of the brake disc. There's about 6mm of disc sticking out past the pads. Also you can see part of the piston on the bosch brake caliper. This isn't right in my eyes!
The discs fitted are 284mm diameter which shows as correct for the car. They fit perfectly in the caliper. The pads seem too small for both disc and caliper. The brembo pads also don't cover the full disc.
I have been to 2 different motor factors and also trawled the Internet for the correct pads but can't seem to find any other than the ones that I already have!
I have been given a Fiat part number of 77365810 which cross references to both sets of pads I already have! Also, there are pad sensor wires both sides which on the brembo set only has 1 pad with a sensor wire on it.
Anyone else had similar experience or issues?

Squeal can usually be rectified by application of copper grease to the face of the piston and caliper where they touch the pads. The fit sound normal. Ferodo coated dsics repel rusting very well and are properly matched to the pads which sound about right. I would put these back and try teh copper grease. Obviously take care to ensure the pads and discs are no and cannot become contaminated. Give the pad guides a clean with a softwire brush as well.

Thanks, I've never seen discs and pads like that before. The pad will normally cover the full surface of the disc. Also with the part of the piston sticking out past the pad it makes me think the pads are incorrect. No squeel now with the brembo pads in!

Also I always use copper grease etc. I'm a truck mechanic by trade! Do a fair few discs and pads! ?

A few more pics. I can still only find 2 sizes of pads for the bosch brake system. Maybe they are correct. It all looks so wrong!

That is the correct way the pads fit the disc.. at least in this car.
Mine was the same.
Since then i upgraded to the slightly bigger brakes from the Stilo Abarth.(152mm pads vs 125 stock, thicker disks 26mm vs 22 mm stock-more cooling... the discs are also a bit smaller diameter 281mm)

Don't worry about it. the diameter of the discs/ pads combo, the extra mass on the discs is there as a way to absorb heat and to more easily dissipate it.

Let's not forget that cars made from a bunch of existing pats.. they don't always match up 100% but they are always up to the job.


The squeaks: remove the brake pads, remove the metal shims at the end of the caliper holders (the pads clip into them), clean the dust, rust until you have nice shiny metal, apply copper grease there then place new shims.
You can add some grease between the shims and the pads as well.

Dan B said:

A few more pics. I can still only find 2 sizes of pads for the bosch brake system. Maybe they are correct. It all looks so wrong!

Click to expand...

Its Italian! They do seem to last well I have never had anything like the life from any other car brakes.

No offence meant!