Guys, I searched but could not find much so here goes.

Wifey drives like a woman... 1.2 is no ball of fire anyways... but.

Had the Spring mod yesterday and at 25k miles (03 plate, owned from new) dealer says the discs and pads need changing, is that normal? Now I know it depends on driving style etc but its 90% short journeys (5 miles or less) and like I say she drives real slow, she does seem to "flick" the brakes on a lot, followed her a few times to the dealers lmao!
I didnt need discs on my last car ("Mitsi" 1.9 DiD Carisma) or the Beemer before that and both did 70k+ and pretty hard miles they were too!

So are the discs as easy to swop as say a Fiesta or Micra (done a few of those) and can I get the gear from a Motor factor rather than FIAT?

1.9 MJet Sporting

Fiat discs seem to have a bit of a reputation for warping so I am hardly surprised ..now if they are warped you will be getting pedal flutter which is an up and down feeling on the pedal when you brake ..I would check this before you buy new ones also check for scoring and a lip on the outer edge of the disc which will signify ware ..if the lip is big then you probably need to change them but if its minimal then you should be OK for a while longer as she does short trips.. changing the discs is a very easy job and if it does need doing the we are here to help

I just done my 1.6 pads today, i had a mot warning of less than 5mm in feb, 3k later and i had 6mm????!?!!!!!!????, i wont be returning to that garage.
My disks are original, like you ive owned from new and have completed nearly 60k, the disks on mine were fine, and i cant see them needing a change for yet a while.
The best thing to do is take of the wheels and inspect them, check for heavy scorching (deep marks, there will be some marks but pretty even),
Also put a couple of the wheel bolts in the hub, and tighten them a couple of turns, then using an straight piece of metal ie long socket extender, spin the disks to see if there is any warping.
There are many many garages out there that see brakes an easy earner and its always worth checking them yourself if you know what your looking for.

The mrs ran her fiesta down to the dealer for a service not so long ago, they wanted to fit new pads and disks all round, i told her to not authorise the job and i would do it, further inspection the pads were fine and the disks were in excellent condition, her car had only covered 15k from new and i had changed her front pads about a year ago. They tried palming her off saying it was unsafe etc and that work had began, i told them to put back her originals and she wont be charged as it was unauthorised work, they obliged in the end. Ford uk got a nice letter from me saying about my displeasure, never heard back mind you.
roy

The discs are pretty soft compared to older cars but it depends how you use them. I'm on original discs too at 57k miles but if you're into heavy braking then they'll wear pretty fast. Easy to change discs and pads on the front

Thanks Stilo guys!
Checked them out last night, as I suspected and you guys confirmed, potential rip-off.

1 - 2 mm lip and no scoring or warping, pads have 5 - 6mm left on so good for another 6 months with Mrs driving style and distances travelled

Shame its a big mutha of a nut to get the discs off tho... should be straightforward enough by the looks, is there a re-fit torque setting for that nut?

Grateful guys... Cheers

There isnt a nut to undo and I suspect you are looking at the large central nut that bolts onto the drive shaft and hold the hub in place if you want to replace the discs you simply have to unbolt them from their mounting point and hang up one side so you dont damage the rubber brake hoses and then undo the two pins that hold them in place [these also act as wheel guides as well] and simply knock off the discs .. clean the new discs with a degreasing agent and fit back in place ..fit back the caliper and job done ..

Aaah cool I geddit....

Discs held on by wheel bolts, remove calper bolts, knock disc off, refit caliper with new pads, bolt up wheel and drive womanly for a bit lmao!

Cheers bud, glad I didnt try to undo the Driveshaft nut!!

Ffoxy said:

Aaah cool I geddit....

Discs held on by wheel bolts, remove calper bolts, knock disc off, refit caliper with new pads, bolt up wheel and drive womanly for a bit lmao!

Cheers bud, glad I didnt try to undo the Driveshaft nut!!

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You would have had a very irate wife on the other end of her mobile asking you "What have you done my wheels have just fallen off" lol:devil:

Er I didn't think that the discs were held on by the wheel bolts!?!?!

There should be 4 bolts on the hub of the disc itself. Don't just take the wheel off and start hammering!

Ffoxy

All is cool and clear for me now Lobster lol!

Doesnt need doing yet for a bit anyway but thanx for the concern

Ffoxy said:

Thanks Stilo guys!


1 - 2 mm lip and no scoring or warping, pads have 5 - 6mm left on so good for another 6 months with Mrs driving style and distances travelled

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This makes me SOOO angry when i read what garages try to do, i think as customers to these thieves we should name and shame them publicly. I trust you wont be returning to this garage?!
Did your mrs take the car to the garage?, i suspect that if she did then thats the reason why they "tryed it on", garages always seem to do the same with my female friends and wife......
You also should have wear indicators on the car when the pads are low, also checking the brake level is a good indication of wear on pads and clutch. The wear indicator is located on the N/s front pad (inside caliper) when the circuit is made (ie the pads are worn out) the car body computer will report it so i would worry about it until then.
roy

Not sure if I'm repeating anyone here...

Front discs are dead easy to take off. Loosen wheels nuts, jack the car and secure on axle stands. Remove the wheels and brake caliper and pad holder, and locate the 2 wheel locater bolts. Take these out and the disc will be held on with nothing more than rust and gunk. Hammer the old disc off with a rubber mallet and slap the new one on. Reverse the process, and your done. Don't forget to use plenty of copper grease, but not on the face of the disc or on the friction material of the pads. I changed both front discs and all the pads...and if I can do it, anyone can!

ChrisMClark said:

Not sure if I'm repeating anyone here...

Front discs are dead easy to take off. Loosen wheels nuts, jack the car and secure on axle stands. Remove the wheels and brake caliper and pad holder, and locate the 2 wheel locater bolts. Take these out and the disc will be held on with nothing more than rust and gunk. Hammer the old disc off with a rubber mallet and slap the new one on. Reverse the process, and your done. Don't forget to use plenty of copper grease, but not on the face of the disc or on the friction material of the pads. I changed both front discs and all the pads...and if I can do it, anyone can!

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Smart arse where did you get info from lol

A very handsome Welshman handed that info down when I was a mere newbie

Guys... well impressed... Stilo boyz doin good for a GP Geezer!

Seriously, thanks, I will be totally fine now when the time comes, must admit I missed them pesky sticky outy wheel locators, never gave them a thought regardin them holding the disc on!!

Done loads of disc replacements on brit and jap cars, first Eyetye tho, not the last though I guess!

GP is warranted by the same garage guys but I am not so daft

Dealer seems to be deaf, they even said the spring mod for Stilo (the bolt on catch plate) is nothing to do with broken springs!!

And they put 2 odd dents, 1 in each wing, but outward dent not inward... assume they use some kind of jig to do the spring mod or just bloody clumsy?

Oh and they didnt tighten up the screws from the arch liners... why they had to come out is anybodies guess!!!

Ffoxy said:

Guys... well impressed... Stilo boyz doin good for a GP Geezer!

Seriously, thanks, I will be totally fine now when the time comes, must admit I missed them pesky sticky outy wheel locators, never gave them a thought regardin them holding the disc on!!

Done loads of disc replacements on brit and jap cars, first Eyetye tho, not the last though I guess!

GP is warranted by the same garage guys but I am not so daft

Dealer seems to be deaf, they even said the spring mod for Stilo (the bolt on catch plate) is nothing to do with broken springs!!

And they put 2 odd dents, 1 in each wing, but outward dent not inward... assume they use some kind of jig to do the spring mod or just bloody clumsy?

Oh and they didnt tighten up the screws from the arch liners... why they had to come out is anybodies guess!!!

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After reading your post about your dealer my head sank into my hands and I said to myself ..dear Lord how the hell do garages like this ever stay in business ..let alone run a franchise..it sounds to me that they aint even qualified to assemble toy cars for Santa let alone play with real life cars that we have to drive and risk ours and our families lives in after they have been bodging around with it ..don't get me wrong here guys and gals but if they have trouble with a simple job like this then they really shouldn't be in business and would be better suited to removing damaged cakes off a conveyor belt at a bakery ... Mmmmmmm cake where's Binki Dave he's usually around when there's cake going for free

roy lovelock said:

Did your mrs take the car to the garage?, i suspect that if she did then thats the reason why they "tryed it on", garages always seem to do the same with my female friends and wife......

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http://www.foxyladydrivers.com/index.php

These lady drivers use a network of 'approved for women' garages using ATA registered technicians....might be of help to our other female drivers aswell.

T14086 said:

http://www.foxyladydrivers.com/index.php

These lady drivers use a network of 'approved for women' garages using ATA registered technicians....might be of help to our other female drivers aswell.

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I hope they dont use under trays as duck ponds :devil:

Just thought it worth resurrecting this 2 year old Thread (almost to the day) as Mrs Ffoxy's Stilo had new pads fitted by me and is still on the original discs.... no problems at all!