Just thought I would share the following after having my Croma laid up for three days whilst on holiday waiting for brake pads of all things.

Although the car was serviced at the end of May (by a dealer) I noticed a slight sound of metal on metal when I braked. I quickly whipped the car into kwik-fit (the dealer didn't want to know me) to check it out. Sure enough the brake pads were down to nowt, although the discs were still ok (this will be taken up with the dealer who serviced the car - it has only done 3,000 miles since).

Now, the calipers on the 2.4 and the 1.9 16v diesel are different to the ones they fit to the 8v Diesel and the 2.2 petrol cars. You will note from the first page of the attached doc that the pads for the 8v and the 2.2 are very different to the ones on the 16v and 20v cars; the former have a hooked locating lug (the same as fitted to the Vectra) whilst the latter (unique to the Croma) don't.

Now despite KF telling the parts supplier it was a 16v car they sent the ones for an 8v, then they said they couldn't supply the ones for the 16v car (in the end I had to book it into the dealer and wait whilst the parts arrived).

Also the rear calipers and pads are different too, although they look similar. If you check the doc called rear brakes you will note the two distinct sets of part numbers.

The FIAT part numbers are in the docs so you can quote these to any motor factor for reference. Don't rely on them to get it right for you, because experience has just shown me they will f*ck it up.

Suprisingly my local motor factors actually got it right first time - unlike the Bravo where they supplied the wider but thinner 120bhp 8v discs and pads.

Front pads changed and tyres swaped front-rear as it wasn't done at the time new tyres were fitted - results in 'SuperCroma!'

Just checked my pads and discs, both badly worn, fitted by main dealer 9 months ago, 16000miles done, not that good.not only that but the disc guide bolt head has been drilled off and left with no head.

Is yours auto or manual? The autos tend to be heavier on brakes. Mine has done 42k and is on second set of discs and third set of pads. 18k - 20k miles is about their limit

As an auto user I find the opposite. Rarely need or use the brakes.
The aisin 6 speed box slows the car and changes down as it slows. Also changes down when descending.

I'm with Keith on this. My 2.4 auto got through its first set of pads at 31K, it's now on 65.5K with the original discs all round, original rear pads and some life left in the front pads.

I'm personally of the opinion that stop/start use has a big effect on pad/disc life, also the brakes fitted to the 150 and 200 models are uprated compared to the 120s so may not have to work so hard? Even with a 1400Kg caravan on the back my car isn't short of brakes.

Of course, driving style may have an effect but in my case it's probably down to the car mainly being used on the open road with a generous stopping distance - I went through three sets of brake discs on my last car (VW Sharan) and am a litle gentler on brakes these days.

HTH.

I have all the parts and tools ready to replace the front disks and pads on my croma 1.9 multijet, but I am stuck at the begining. How do you remove the retaining spring clip, I just don't seem to be able to remove it. All information will be welcome.

What model?

The 2.4 and 1.9 150 don't have retaining springs. Just remove the bolts off the back and remove the pads.

If you do have a clip, a bit like my rubbish drawing attached, just put a big screwdriver wrapped in a old rag in where indicated and prise the clip off. Make sure it doesn't ping away too far.

Thank you hellcat. After I Removed the springs I had no more problems, I made sure I had all the correct tools, Breaker bar, Disc brake piston spreader, t20 socket, set of allen bits. With the Mintex discs and pads the total came to £130.00 much better then over the £200.00 I had been quoted and I am now ready for the rear discs. The new pads had no wear indicator fitted, I checked on the pad that came off and the normal indication is a short, so I cut the wires and crimped them together.
The car has done 56500 miles,when I remover the old pads the material just crumpled away I should have taken a photo but forgot.

Just an addition - my 'Check Brake pads' warning came on a couple of days ago for the front pads, the car has done 72.6K miles now so that's just over 41K since the last set. When I recently changed the rear suspension arms I was pleasantly surprised at how much life there was left in the rear pads and discs - I reckon they might go to 100K.

The driver's a much bigger factor than the car.

I need to replace the rear pads in around two weeks
1. will I have to disconnect the hand brake cable and if so how.

2. When I come to turn the piston in does it turn clockwise on off side and anticlockwise on the near side.

all replys welcome.

No need to disconnect the handbrake.

Think it was LH for left caliper, RH for right.

thanks I hope to change the pads in the next few days depends on the weather

this thread says both clockwise, that right?

also a double check before i spend on new rears. i have a 1.9 16v 150 prestigio.
so i need exactly the same rear discs and pads as a 2.4? 292mm

dave said:

... double check before i spend on new rears. i have a 1.9 16v 150 prestigio ... 292mm

Click to expand...

FIAT 46836490 (Opel 569114, Saab 9191336, Vauxhall 93171778)
Brembo 09.9505.10
Apec DSK2385

Apec PAD1506 +(Kit1085)

-------
55 Prestigio 1.9/16v150

20111025

thanks Brembo 09.9505.10 ordered.
do i need a fitting kit?

I don't recall a fitting kit. Apart from the front Brembo 09.9399.14 (from NextDayBrakes) all other parts (Apec) were from a local factors - & my indie did the fitting.

I believe EBC DP1910 & Mintex MDB 2800 pads also fit.

.

just ive seen some fitting kits on ebay

dave said:

this thread says both clockwise, that right?

Click to expand...

On a Croma 150 HP multijet Dynamic built 2008, both piston need clockwise turning to make room for new pads