Brake Problem.......Something i can do myself?

[Sy]

Changed my front pads a few week ago but struggled to get the drivers side caliper tight so that it would not wobble, so i pressed my brakes, the caliper closed to the disc and of course steadied up, now got a bad screech when i brake once they are warmed up, Should i get some new caliper bolts and try them? or is there something bigger i could be missing?
1.6 16v SX 1998 (S Reg)

 

[Tom]

In what way did you strugle to get it tight? You are aware the caliper floats and slides on those bolts. The bolts do not press the pads against the disc.

The screech is probably just the pads. Did you use good ones or something cheap like Hellfords, Fiat or EBC?

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Brake Problem.......Something i can do myself?

First off, even cheap pads should not skwawk, and Tom is right to question the "couldnt get it tight". I have done many pad changes on Bravo/a and none of the have squawked.
Make sure the springs are back in place OK as per the guide

Nige

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Re: Brake Problem.......Something i can do myself?

Some pads now have a fibre backing (hellfords) to 'stop' them squeaking, some don't. Also if your discs are a bit scored it will take a while to bed in.

Best tip ever is to keep the coppaslip as far away from the brakes as possible.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Brake Problem.......Something i can do myself?

Tom, why don't you use coppaslip? I always put it on the edges of the pads, where metal meets metal - any reason not to??

Nige

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Brake Problem.......Something i can do myself?

I just have a total hatred of the nasty stuff. Its like CV joint grease, gets bloody everywhere!

I've never found it to reduce squealing, decent brake parts are the only cure. (ok, what do you expect from £6 brake pads!)

The only time I use it is on BIG bolts that need to be torqued up very high or something that will probably rust in place in a few months and then only a itty bitty smear.

I've seen people gob it on like toothpaste! Yuk! I took apart the brakes on my sisters Uno and I swear the pads had 2mm thickness of coppaslip on the back.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Brake Problem.......Something i can do myself?

LOL! I know what you mean. I use it quite liberally on any bolts that I know I may have to undo again. Having sheared a caliper bolt inside the steering arm on my Jag a few months back because it had seized not on the thread but on the shank I am ever more enthusiastic on its use, however I do always smear a touch on the metal to metal where pad meets caliper.

Nige

 

[Ph1l]

Brakes

Your brake squeek is probably caused by the discs.
The discs wear a groove the size and chape of the old pads, so when you put the new ones in they wont fit in the worn bit and squeek on the edges. You can easily feel where the wear is.

Sometimes this just goes away, but when i change mine I grind the edges of the discs which stops the squeeking.
Its easy to take the discs off then just stick them in a vice (gently so you dont damage them) and get a grinder and smooth the edge on both sides of each disc. Its most likely just the front ones that need it.

 

[Sy]

Re: Brakes

I know about the pads not touching the discs..i go through proceadure, to remove old pads have to compress the caliper, done this using G clamp, cleaned calipers blew all crap off got rid of rust around edg of disc, Put copper grease onto back of pads, put pads into calipers then put this back into position and tightened the fixing bolts, The passenger one stabilised the whole caliper as in no wobble but the drivers one wobbled when it was as tight as i could get em, is this something wrong or nothing to worry about, Not sure of the brand but bought them from a trusted mechanic as he only uses parts that are O/E spec,
Just noticed when hot the brake squeeks when turning left, as if the pad is catching the disc slightly, Have changed my pads before and they have always been fine

 

[Tom]

Re: Re: Brakes

There is always a certain wobble in the caliper. I would not worry. As your car gets older more things will wobble.

How many miles since you did the discs? Sounds like they are a bit worn and thats causing the squeal.

 

[Sy]

Re: Re: Re: Brakes

They were both replaced 1 year ago aorund now